After their debut in 2025, the Welding Olympics return this year with a broader edition and a stronger presence in the country. The initiative, promoted by Talento, now also includes the city of Pemba, in Cabo Delgado, which joins the competitions planned for Maputo and Matola.
The expansion comes at a time of growing demand for skilled labour linked to the energy and extractive industries. In Cabo Delgado, the competition will be hosted at the Ascending Training Centre, in partnership with the Alberto Cassimo Institute of Vocational Training and Labour Studies (IFPELAC).
For Frederico P. Silva, CEO of Talento, Mozambique has “real technical talent” and the Olympics represent a strengthening of the organisation's commitment to technical and vocational education and to valuing young national talent.
The 2026 edition also brings new employability initiatives, among them a paid internship programme, guided visits to training centres, an audiovisual mini-series and a digital platform designed to bring companies and trainees closer together.
The private sector also continues to play a central role in the project's growth. ExxonMobil Mozambique Limitada returns as Diamond Sponsor, reinforcing the support it began in the first edition. According to Matthew Scharf, the company's Public Affairs Director, investment in technical skills is essential for the sustainable development of the energy sector and of local content. Ascending is also strengthening its presence at the Olympics, taking on the role of both sponsor and host of the Cabo Delgado stage.
The first edition brought together 153 participants, including students, trainers and professionals, involving more than fifteen institutions and companies. In addition to the main sponsors, the 2026 edition also involves Absa Bank Mozambique, Daewoo, Tri-M, FPB, Transtrevo and other institutional and media partners.
