Mozambique's tourism sector attracted approximately 840 million meticais in new investment during the first half of 2026, linked to the opening of 76 new tourism establishments across the country, Economy Minister Basílio Muhate announced.
The new investments span accommodation units, restaurants, and travel agencies, and carry the potential to create around 1,000 jobs. "In tourism, 76 new establishments were registered, including accommodation units, restaurants, and travel agencies. Approved investments amount to approximately 840 million meticais," Muhate said during the opening of the Second Session of the Ministry of Economy's Coordinating Council in Maputo.
According to the minister, the challenge now lies in ensuring that approved investments translate into tangible economic impact — through higher tourist numbers, job creation, and greater participation by domestic companies and local communities in the value chain. "More than increasing the number of establishments, what matters is ensuring these investments result in real economic activity — more tourists, more employment, and greater participation by Mozambican companies and communities in the value chain," he said.
Muhate also highlighted the establishment of the National Agency for Tourism Investment and Development, describing the new institution as central to positioning Mozambique as a tourism destination and attracting further investment.
The minister argued that the agency's performance should be assessed against concrete results, including growth in investment and visitor numbers, job creation, and strengthened national participation in the sector.
On the industrial side, Muhate reported that output is estimated at approximately 60 billion meticais for the first half of the year, with the food industry, base metals, beverages, non-metallic minerals, and chemical products among the leading contributors.
During the period under review, three large industrial establishments were also licensed — covering graphite processing, the production of plastic packaging and corrugated cardboard, and timber sawing and planing. The minister said these projects have the potential to create 938 jobs in the provinces of Niassa and Sofala.
The government also reported that 3,004 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises benefited from capacity-building and business assistance programmes during the first half, while 90 direct investment projects were approved, primarily in transport and communications, tourism and hospitality, and industry.
Preliminary data from the Ministry of Economy also point to a positive trade balance of approximately US$114 million in the first half of the year, driven by a 5% increase in exports and a 12% reduction in imports.
Muhate cautioned, however, that the decline in imports must be accompanied by a strengthening of domestic production capacity, so that a growing share of internal demand can be met by Mozambican companies. "The reduction in imports must be accompanied by the reinforcement of national productive capacity, allowing a growing share of domestic demand to be met by Mozambican production — with benefits for businesses, employment, and income," he said.
The minister also called for greater diversification of exports, increased value-added content in national products, and a stronger presence of Mozambican companies in regional, continental, and international markets.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/09/17/negocios/turismo/governo-turismo-atraiu-840-milhoes-de-meticais-em-novos-investimentos-no-primeiro-semestre/
