The official inauguration ceremony for the new governing body of the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA) took place on Friday, 16 May, at the Maputo Grand VIP Hotel in the south of the country. Álvaro Massingue took office as president, succeeding Agostinho Vuma.
Massingue, who was elected on Wednesday (14), emphasised in his first official speech as president the importance of the business community uniting around a common development agenda.
‘The time has come to overcome our differences and join forces around a national development agenda, because the country is one. The business community is one. And our challenges are common,’ he stressed.
In a speech marked by a conciliatory tone, the new CTA leader reaffirmed his commitment to integrity, transparency and the revitalisation of the private sector. ‘Leading the CTA is not a privilege, but a duty that requires dedication, strategic vision and commitment to the interests of the national business community,’ said Massingue.
Among the priorities for his term, he highlighted strengthening the CTA’s representativeness, promoting legislative reforms to improve the business environment, upgrading national infrastructure, supporting youth and female entrepreneurship, stimulating national production and the participation of Mozambican companies in megaprojects.
‘We will make the CTA an inclusive, participatory and representative platform, where merit, innovation and ethics will guide our actions,’ he assured, also announcing the creation of a permanent channel of communication with members, called ’Direct Line with the President.’
New CTA president Álvaro Massingue, alongside outgoing president Agostinho Vuma
In his farewell speech, outgoing president Agostinho Vuma took stock of his eight years at the helm of the Confederation, a period marked by crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme natural phenomena, but also by institutional achievements. ‘I leave you with a CTA at levels never before seen,’ he said.
Vuma called for structural reforms in the fiscal sector, public administration and the business association movement itself, calling on the new leadership to promote profound changes. ‘You must invest in the cohesion of our business movement so that we can continue with our mission of becoming stronger in promoting and conducting public-private dialogue,’ he recommended.
Massingue’s election brings to a close an intense electoral process, which was the subject of controversy and an atmosphere of great expectation. The businessman, who chairs the Mozambique Chamber of Commerce, now takes over the leadership of one of the most important institutions in the defence of the interests of the national private sector, with the challenge of consolidating a modern, cohesive and future-oriented CTA.
Germano Ndlovo
