Mozambique

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Map

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Basic Information

Mozambique is located in southeastern Africa. It is an important estuary and regional transportation corridor. The country has an area of nearly 800,000 square kilometres and a population of about 28.86 million in 2018. The capital is Maputo. It is the national political, economic, cultural centre and transportation hub of the country,  as well as one of the busiest ports in Africa.

Investment Environment

The society of Mozambique maintains long-term stability, rapid economic growth, manifesting obvious location advantages. It is rich in minerals and natural resources such as coal, natural gas, forest, water conservancy, agriculture, and fisheries. In recent years, the local government has increased investment in infrastructure and has worked closely on tourism, actively expanding foreign investment and co-operation. It strives to improve foreign investment policies and regulations, and optimises business environment.

Doing Business 2020 – the World Bank’s report on business environment – points out that the score of Mozambique has improved in terms of starting business, construction licensing, electricity access and property registration.

Agriculture is the main industry in Mozambique. About 70% of the population is engaged in agricultural production and processing. The crops include corn, rice, soybeans and cassava. The industry mainly includes processing industry. Owing to its rich mineral resources, many international mining companies are attracted to invest and develop in Mozambique.

Trade Overview

Mozambique’s main export destinations are South Africa, India, China, and Italy. Its main export goods are mainly aluminum products, energy and mineral products, and tobacco. The main import origins include South Africa, China, UAE and Singapore. The main imported goods include crude oil, energy, food, mechanical and electrical equipment, automobiles and household appliances.

China’s exports to Mozambique mainly include motors, fossil fuels, mechanical appliances, and vehicle parts. Goods imported from Mozambique mainly include wood, ore, feed, fish.

2017(a)

2018(a)

2019(b)

2020(c)

Surface area (sq. km)

799,380

799,380

799,380

799,380

Population (million)

28.6

29.5(b)

30.4

31.3

GDP (US$ billion)

13.2

14.7

15.5

17.5

Real GDP growth rate (%)

3.7

3.4

1.9

-2.4

Total exports (US$ million)

4,725

5,196

4,715

3,632

Total imports (US$ million)

-5,223

-6,169

-6,793

-5,513

Consumer Price Index (%)

5.6

3.5

3.5(a)

8.0

Current account balance (US$ million)

-2,586

-4,501

-3,040

-3,570

Exchange rate (Mozambican Metical MZN : USD)

59.00

61.50

61.50(a)

56.53

Proportion in total exports (%)

South Africa

18.9

India

17.0

China

6.9

Italy

6.4

Others

50.8

Main source of import (2018)

Proportion in total imports (%)

South Africa

27.9

China

11.3

United Arab Emirates

9.6

Singapore

6.7

Others

44.5

Proportion in total exports (%)

Fossil fuels, mineral oil and its distilled products; bituminous substances; mineral wax

42.4

Aluminum and its products

22.5

Ore, slag and ash

5.8

Tobacco and tobacco substitutes

4.9

Others

24.4

Major import goods (2018)

Proportion in total imports (%)

Fossil fuels, mineral oil and its distilled products; bituminous substances; mineral wax

20.6

Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances and relevant spare parts

12.9

Vehicles other than railway or tramway vehicles and their parts and accessories

7.8

Cereals

6.4

Others

52.3

Total trade

Total exports*

Total imports**

2019

266,973.4

195,769.6

71,203.7

2018

249,532.5

186,189.3

63,343.2

2017

183,423.4

130,674.2

52,749.2

2016

178,734

130,799.4

47,934.6

2015

239,283.2

194,022

45,261.3

Total trade

Total exports*

Total imports**

2019

56,906

47,907

8,999

2018

209,095

13,866

195,229

2017

–

34,130

–

2016

9,188

–

9,188

2015

1,483

–

1,483