The president of the Confederation of Economic Associations (CTA), Álvaro Massingue, called on the Government this Friday, June 5, to accelerate the widespread use of natural gas vehicles, introduce special electricity tariffs for productive sectors, and provide competitive gas for industry, in order to reduce dependence on imported fuels, according to Lusa.
“We propose the creation of special electricity tariffs for strategic productive sectors, the provision of competitive domestic gas for industry, the acceleration of the use of natural gas vehicles, and the promotion of long-term energy supply contracts for industry,” said Massingue.
He was speaking during a meeting in Maputo with the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Estêvão Pale, to discuss the business environment. He also called for the creation of national strategic fuel reserves as part of solutions to end the fuel crisis, noting that international experience shows that countries that achieved high levels of industrialization used energy as a competitive advantage.
“The real solution is to gradually reduce dependence on imported fuels and place national energy resources at the service of economic competitiveness and industrialization,” said the CTA president, stressing the need for measures that ensure supply predictability and facilitate access to foreign currency for imports.
“We advocate a review of the fuel pricing structure, eliminating costs that are not essential at this stage, and considering temporary tax relief measures, including the revision of certain taxes applied to the sector,” Massingue added.
Mozambique is currently experiencing some stabilization and a return to normal fuel supply, after weeks marked by shortages of petrol and diesel, long queues of vehicles, and the Rapid Intervention Unit deployed at filling stations to maintain security amid crowds waiting to refuel.
In the same statements, the sector acknowledged the country’s challenges in the use of natural gas—Mozambique holds some of Africa’s largest reserves—as a development strategy, stressing the need for government capacity to ensure this resource drives industrialization, strengthens value chains, and improves economic competitiveness.
“We believe domestic gas should be made available in adequate quantities, through clear and efficient mechanisms, and at competitive prices for national industry. If gas destined for the domestic market reaches companies at prices comparable to international markets, we will be compromising one of the greatest economic transformation opportunities in our history,” the CTA leader warned.
Business leaders therefore want the country to use gas to attract investment into sectors such as fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel, ceramics, glass, and aluminum, arguing that it is time to advance industrial transformation.
Regarding local content, the private sector said it has already created a platform to support entrepreneurs but stressed that it will only have an impact—alongside legislation—if the country creates conditions for awarding contracts to national companies.
“Its greatest impact will be achieved through the creation of competitive Mozambican industrial companies, capable of producing locally, generating permanent jobs, absorbing technology, developing skills, and integrating sustainably into supply chains,” Massingue concluded.
Source: Diário Económico
