World Bank representative Laurent Corthay stated that tourism could play a central role in job creation in Mozambique under the new partnership framework for the next five years. He made this statement on Wednesday, April 8, during the strategic technical retreat to launch the National Tourism Strategy and the Tourism Master Plan for Inhambane Province.
According to Laurent Corthay, the World Bank is aligned with the priorities set by the Mozambican government. Furthermore, the new partnership framework identifies tourism as one of the five pillars of strategic intervention, highlighting the sector as a driver of job creation and poverty reduction.
He explained that approximately half a million young people enter the labor market in Mozambique every year. Therefore, he said, it is necessary to implement structured and sustainable solutions that harness the potential of tourism. “Jobs are the most direct and effective path out of poverty,” he emphasized.
Laurent Corthay added that tourism is one of the sectors with the greatest capacity to generate jobs. Each job in the sector can generate between two and three additional jobs in related sectors, he stated, highlighting the multiplier effect on the local economy.
At the same time, the official emphasized that nature-based tourism offers even greater potential for economic returns. “The multiplier effect of tourism can be as high as six times the amount invested for each job created, especially in protected areas,” he said.
To maximize this impact, Laurent Corthay advocated for the establishment of strategic priorities. Thus, the World Bank supports the government’s strategy to position Inhambane as the tourism capital, without neglecting the potential of other regions of the country.
The World Bank representative emphasized that the retreat serves as a starting point for structuring the bank’s engagement in the coming years. This takes place within the context of the new 2026–31 partnership cycle, which succeeds the previous plan and will enable the definition of concrete and sustainable actions for the sector.
Finally, Laurent Corthay emphasized that tourism is a cross-cutting sector that requires coordination across various areas. “The challenge is great, but we have the opportunity to unite around a common vision and turn this potential into reality,” he concluded, pointing to sectors such as the environment, transportation, security, and culture as essential to success.
Source: Diário Económico
