Mozambique
National Flag | |
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. |
Economic Indicators
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 |
Remarks: (a) actual value; (b) estimated value of Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU); (c) estimates of Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
Source: Country Report May 2020 (Mozambique) by the British Economist Intelligence Unit
Main export and import destinations
Main export destinations (2018) |
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 |
Source: International Trade Center (ITC)
Main export and import goods
Major export goods (2018) |
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 |
Source: International Trade Center (ITC)
Statistics of trade between Mainland China and Mozambique (US$ 10,000)
Year |
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 |
Remarks: * Value of goods exported to Mozambique from Mainland China; **Value of goods imported from Mozambique to Mainland China
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China
Statistics of trade between Macao and Mozambique (US$) (1 USD»8 MOP)
Year |
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 |
Remarks: * Value of goods exported to Mozambique from Macao; **Value of goods imported from Mozambique to Macao.
Source: Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), Macao SAR Government
Source of Data:
- Country (region) guide for foreign investment co-operation (Mozambique) by the Ministry of Commerce the People’s Republic of China
- General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China
- SinoMaps Press
- Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), Macao SAR Government
- Mozambique National Bureau of Statistics
- International Trade Center (ITC)
- Country Report May 2020 (Mozambique) by the British Economist Intelligence Unit
- Doing Business 2020 by the World Bank
Updated in May 2020.