On Tuesday 4 March, the Centre for Public Integrity (CIP) launched a study on the ‘Perspectives on Governance for the year 2025’, which presents the risks of governance distributed among the organisation’s pillars of intervention: Transparency and political, public and private integrity; justice; the fight against corruption; and environmental governance.
According to the document, Daniel Chapo’s first term as Mozambican President faces various risks that could jeopardise his governance, with political instability, the economic crisis and corruption standing out as the main threats.
According to the study, the recent popular demonstrations have already caused a loss of more than 42 billion meticals in tax revenue, reducing the state’s ability to fund public services. CIP warns that if the protests continue, the government could face difficulties in mobilising resources and maintaining economic stability.
Another critical point raised by the CIP is corruption in public procurement. ‘The creation of a state procurement centre could further concentrate control of government contracts in the hands of the political elite, increasing the risks of embezzlement and favouritism,’ reads the document, highlighting that, historically, changes of government in the country always result in the emergence of new economic players linked to the party in power.
During the presentation of the study, Edson Cortez, director of the organisation, also revealed that political instability and fluctuations in commodity prices are risks that could compromise exports and economic growth. Dependence on foreign markets such as India, China and South Africa aggravates the sector’s vulnerability.
CIP also warns of the risk of a crisis in governance, due to the influence of the Frelimo Political Commission on presidential decisions. ‘In addition, the lack of confidence in the institutions could fuel new protests and popular violence, as well as the emergence of armed groups, such as the Naparamas in Nampula and Zambézia, and the permanence of terrorism in Cabo Delgado,’ the study points out.
The recent popular demonstrations have already caused a loss of more than 42 billion meticals in tax revenue, reducing the state’s capacity to finance public services.CIP warns that if the protests continue, the government could face difficulties in mobilising resources and maintaining economic stability.
In the environmental area, the lack of oversight and transparency in the management of donations to victims of climate disasters is also a concern. ‘Although the government is aware of the country’s climate vulnerability, it has not adopted efficient and effective measures to minimise the effects of cyclones. Another factor that poses a significant risk and exacerbates climate problems is weak supervision, combined with a lack of transparency in the management and accountability of donations to victims of climate events, which fuels corruption,’ emphasised Edson Cortez.
‘New buildings have not been designed according to the demands imposed by climate change, making them highly vulnerable to natural disasters. As a result, newly opened infrastructures are often destroyed by extreme events,’ he said.
CIP cites the case of the Naminawe Health Centre in Metuge, Cabo Delgado, inaugurated in November 2024 and destroyed by cyclone Chido a month later, as an example of the fragility of infrastructures in the face of climate change.
Faced with these challenges, the organisation is calling for urgent measures to strengthen transparency, fight corruption and guarantee economic and social stability in the country.
Text: Nário Sixpene
