The government has appointed Aníbal Joaquim Mbalango as the new president of the Mozambican Tax Authority (AT), replacing Elisa Zacarias, who held the position since August 2024. The decision was announced on Tuesday (8), after the Council of Ministers session, and was communicated by the government spokesman, Inocêncio Impissa.
A career civil servant with more than 20 years of public service, 14 of which have been dedicated to the extractive industry tax sector, Aníbal Mbalango is recognised as having solid technical experience and in-depth knowledge of the tax machine. Prior to his appointment, he served as deputy director-general of the AT’s Planning and Studies Office, taking part in strategic definition and administrative modernisation processes.
Mr Mbalango’s appointment is part of a broader effort by the executive to increase efficiency in the collection of tax revenue, especially in a context of growing economic complexity and the start-up of megaprojects, such as the development of the second phase of the Coral Norte FLNG in the Rovuma basin.
Aníbal Mbalango’s succession marks the third change in AT’s leadership in less than two years. Before Elisa Zacarias, the position was held by Amélia Muendane, who led the institution until August 2024. During her mandate, AT collected around 170 billion meticals in the first half of that year, which represented 44 per cent of the annual target set in the Economic and Social Plan and State Budget.
Elisa Zacarias, for her part, was appointed after being dismissed as secretary of state for Tete province. Her appointment was interpreted as part of a government move to ‘refresh’ the organs of public administration. Her mandate lasted less than nine months and has now come to an end with the appointment of Mbalango.
The change in the presidency of the Tax Authority comes at a time when the government is presenting a balance sheet of its first 100 days in office, with 45 indicators fully met, 36 with execution above 75 per cent and 15 still below that threshold. The stability and effectiveness of tax policy appear to be essential pillars for guaranteeing the sustainability of the targets set.
Expectations now rest on the performance of the new leadership, in a decisive period for institutional strengthening and for maximising revenues from natural resources and the formal economy.
Source: O País
