The Mozambican government intends to reserve a 10% equity stake for the domestic private sector in large infrastructure and logistics projects, channelled through the Mozambique Stock Exchange (BVM), as part of a broader strategy to increase national participation in investment and reduce dependence on foreign capital.
The announcement was made on Thursday, 10 September, by Minister of Transport and Logistics João Matlombe, during the 22nd edition of the Economic Briefing organised by the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA), where he called for greater involvement of Mozambican investors in the capital structures of major projects.
Among the investments covered by the initiative is the Dondo Dry Port in Sofala province, valued at approximately US$80 million. According to Matlombe, 10% of the capital will be made available to the private sector through the stock exchange.
The same approach will be applied to the Machipanda border post in Manica province, a project estimated at US$37 million, and to a dedicated fuel terminal at the Port of Nacala, valued at approximately US$57 million.
"We are dedicating 10% to private sector participation," Matlombe said, urging business leaders to use the stock exchange as a platform to access investment opportunities.
The minister argued that large investments must no longer be seen solely as foreign capital ventures, but should instead function as instruments for wealth creation for domestic companies and investors.
"There will be no economic independence without wealthy Mozambicans. We will not achieve economic independence without Mozambicans and companies owned by wealthy Mozambicans," he added.
Matlombe also revealed that the government intends to apply the same approach to future projects, including the Maputo Corridor, currently at the tender stage, and road concessions, ensuring space for national investors in each case.
The minister noted that the strategy also aims to stem capital outflows, in a context where a large share of the country's biggest companies remain under foreign control.
"80% of the large companies we have are owned by foreign citizens or foreign firms. As a result, every year we have to repatriate capital," he said.
Local content and logistics corridors
Beyond equity participation, the government aims to strengthen local content requirements across major infrastructure and logistics projects, creating opportunities for domestic companies in construction, maintenance, operations, equipment and services supply, technology, and management.
Matlombe argued that Mozambique must leverage its geographic location, ports, railways, and transport corridors to transform logistics into one of the economy's primary growth engines, and to reshape the country's economic structure over the next 10 to 15 years. He also highlighted the need to integrate ports, railways, roads, and maritime transport in order to reduce logistics costs and enhance the competitiveness of national corridors.
According to Matlombe, since the relaunch of coastal shipping services in April last year, cargo equivalent to more than 14,000 truck loads has been transported, reducing pressure on road infrastructure and enabling regular connections between Maputo, Beira, Nacala, Pemba, and Afungi.
Despite the investments and opportunities under way, the minister acknowledged the risks posed by rising oil prices and the conflict in the Middle East, which are exerting pressure on transport, logistics, and agricultural costs.
For Matlombe, the response lies in deeper cooperation between government and the private sector, with the goal of transforming logistics corridors and major investments into platforms for production, employment, domestic business participation, and economic growth.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=539257
