Building a stronger foundation from within

Founded in 2014, JEV Construções, LDA has a vision to project a modern and reliable image in Mozambique’s construction industry. With operations spanning across Maputo, Sofala, Gaza, and Nampula, the company has undertaken diverse projects-from building construction and road maintenance to urban regeneration and the manufacture of metal structures.

Yet, despite its strong technical capabilities, JEV faced internal challenges that limited its potential for growth and sustainability.

As a small company, JEV’s team often found themselves juggling multiple responsibilities. Naira Lopes, an accountant at the company, illustrates this reality clearly:

“Here at JEV, the same person is often the director and the engineer. In my case, I’m the accountant, but when we have tenders, I have to put accounting and Human Resources management aside to focus on preparing documentation-because we don’t have a dedicated finance department.”

This overlap of functions meant that crucial administrative tasks were often sidelined. Before participated in a training on decent work essentials offered by Apricont and supported by the ILO Decent Work in Construction Project early this year, the company had no employment contracts for many workers, no systematic way of recording expenses or revenues, and no clear hiring procedures.

Recruitment was typically informal- based on recommendations when a new project came in. Despite the quality of their construction work, JEV’s internal operations lacked the structure required to support the growth of the company sustainable growth.

Recognizing these gaps, JEV participated in a training and mentoring program aimed at improving business operations and internal governance. For Naira, the experience was eye-opening.

I really enjoyed the training and mentoring. I’ve already started applying what I learned-we’re now preparing proper contracts for workers, recording cash inflows and outflows, and I’ve identified the need for ISO certification. These things are essential for tenders and inspections,” she said.

While the changes is still ongoing, real progress is already visible. JEV has begun formalizing its employment relationships with workers and improving financial transparency. These steps not only support compliance with labor laws but also improve the company’s standing in competitive tender processes, where proper documentation and certifications are often a prerequisite.

Naira sees a clearer path forward for JEV Construções. She believes that by continuing to organize internal processes and pursuing certification, the company will not only pass inspections but also win more tenders.

“Certification is important because it's part of the preliminary qualification. If we keep our documents in order, we stand a better chance.”

With the training support, this small construction company is evolving into a more structured and compliant to become competitive in Mozambique’s construction sector. The changes sparked by training and mentoring in have laid the foundation-but the next chapter will depend on sustained leadership engagement, strategic investment in systems, and continuous learning.

JEV is not just building infrastructure. It’s rebuilding itself-from the inside out.