Mozambique’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Estevão Pale, said on Wednesday that the review of the extractive industry legislation is essential to make the sector transparent and more inclusive, calling for broad participation in the legal reform process.
“This reform is a decisive step towards making our extractive sector more inclusive, transparent, more efficient and more oriented towards the well-being of Mozambicans, especially local communities,” said Pale.
The minister was speaking at the beginning of the socialisation of the proposed legal framework for the mining, oil, gas and energy sectors.
“We want to listen to all the voices directly or indirectly affected and welcome as many contributions as possible so that the legislation, under review, can effectively defend the country’s interests,” Minister Estevão Pale said.
“This is an exercise in participatory sovereignty, so that everyone feels that their interests are safeguarded,” he continued.
The current legal reform includes the drafting of the Local Content Law in the oil sector and began on 29 March 2025 with an internal process led by senior sector officials, both active and retired, according to a statement from the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy.
The process was then analysed and validated by the Technical Council, culminating in its approval by the MIREME Advisory Council.
The current socialisation phase will be marked by a process of public consultation and inter-institutional harmonisation.
To this end, the draft projects have already been sent to all ministries for assessment and issuing of opinions and will also be shared by several professional associations linked to the respective sectors.
The documents are also available at the Provincial Infrastructure Services in all provinces.
At the same time, a participatory process will be promoted, which will include seminars, round tables and debate sessions, involving local communities, local, district and provincial administrations, local business community, rights holders, concessionaires, representatives of civil society, academic institutions and other interest groups.
“The reform aims to make the legislation of the sector modern, efficient, transparent and inclusive, enhancing the sector as a driver of the country’s economic and social development,” the statement reads.
Source: Carta de Moçambique
