Construction of the future Parliamentary City of Mocuba, in Zambézia Province, is set to begin on 19 October with the laying of the foundation stone of the new seat of the Assembly of the Republic, the Parliament's Permanent Commission has announced.
The ceremony is expected to draw around 2,000 guests and will mark the formal start of a project designed to transfer part of the governmental functions currently concentrated in Maputo to the centre of the country. "The good news we bring is that construction will happen and that the ceremony is scheduled for the 19th, with around 2,000 guests for the laying of the foundation stone of the Assembly of the Republic," said Manuel Ramessane, spokesperson for the Permanent Commission of the Assembly of the Republic.
According to Ramessane, preparatory works are already under way on site to enable the start of the project. Despite the announcement of the date, the name of the contractor, the overall construction budget, and the projected completion timeline have not yet been made public.
Ramessane indicated, however, that the expectation is for the Assembly of the Republic to begin operating in Mocuba within the current legislative term. "There is a team. It is true that it is a property of the Assembly of the Republic, but there is state involvement and there is a team from the Government and the Assembly of the Republic on the ground preparing the laying of the foundation stone," he explained.
Supporting documents for the 2026 Economic and Social Plan and State Budget (PESOE) include an allocation of 500.9 million meticais — equivalent to approximately 6.7 million euros — for the project. This figure represents the amount earmarked in the state budget for the initiative; the total cost of the future Parliamentary City has not yet been publicly announced.
The project envisages the construction of infrastructure to house Parliament, working offices, legislative research centres, plenary chambers, residential areas for members of parliament and civil servants, as well as spaces for engagement with civil society. The plan also includes digital platforms aimed at strengthening citizen participation in parliamentary processes and the creation of a National Institute of Parliamentary Studies.
The selection of Mocuba as the site for the new parliamentary seat was endorsed in July 2025 by President Daniel Chapo as part of a broader strategy to decentralise national institutions. "Mocuba was chosen not only for its strategic geographical position, but for its symbolic nature. It is where paths cross and the country embraces itself — it is the point where the north, centre, and south of Mozambique meet," the head of state said on that occasion.
According to the Presidency of the Republic, the project is to be implemented in phases and may draw on public-private partnerships. President Chapo has advocated a territorial redistribution of certain state functions, assigning specific national responsibilities to different provinces based on their economic, historical, cultural, and geographical characteristics. The President argues that the measure could help reduce pressure on Maputo, stimulate investment in other regions, and promote more balanced territorial development.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=537435
