Mozambique’s government approved two decrees on Tuesday, 21 July, reforming the railway and civil aviation sectors, with the stated objective of aligning legislation with market dynamics, strengthening connectivity, and driving economic growth, according to the Lusa news agency.
Speaking at the close of the 21st ordinary session of the Council of Ministers, held in Maputo, government spokesperson Salim Valá announced the approval of a decree establishing the rules governing access to and the conduct of railway operations, revoking legislation that has been in force since 1966 — a framework dating to the colonial period.
‘The regulation aims to establish the legal framework defining the conditions and requirements for accessing and operating railway activity, in response to the challenges posed by the dynamics and conditions of the liberalised market,’ Salim Valá stated.
According to the spokesperson, the measure is intended to update the legal framework governing the national railway sector, which has been considered ill-suited to the current economic and operational reality.
In June, the Minister of Transport and Logistics had announced the opening of Mozambique’s railway network to new private operators, with the goal of increasing productivity and ending the persistent inefficiency associated with the monopoly held by state-owned Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM).
‘Our approach to logistics is clear: you cannot run logistics under a monopoly. We conducted consultations and we will open access to the rail line to different stakeholders,’ Minister João Matlombe declared.
At the same Cabinet session, the government also approved a decree restructuring the classification of national airports and aligning the management of Mozambican airspace with the principles of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, revoking legislation adopted in 2022.
According to Salim Valá, the revision of aviation legislation aims to modernise the civil aviation sector and create conditions to improve communication, information exchange, and access to airport services.
‘The decree aims to stimulate communication, information exchange, access to services, innovation, and economic growth, which could translate into an increase in the number of passengers carried, contributing to strengthening connectivity between regions and, consequently, competitiveness and productivity,’ Salim Valá explained.
The Council of Ministers also considered and approved a draft law establishing the legal framework for civil asset forfeiture, to be submitted to the National Assembly. According to the government, the initiative aims to create a legal basis for the confiscation of assets linked to unlawful acts, including those used in their commission, those derived from them, or those constituting direct or indirect economic gains.
Also approved was a decree revising the legal framework governing private education providers, revoking legislation from 1999. According to the government, the instrument redefines the rules applicable to private institutions integrated into the National Education System, covering pre-school education, general and adult education, vocational training, as well as schools following foreign curricula and those providing instruction in national and foreign languages.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/07/22/economia/executivo-aprova-reformas-nos-sectores-ferroviario-e-da-aviacao-civil-para-impulsionar-economia/
