Mozambique Passport

The Republic of Mozambique, A Rep ú blica de Mo ç ambique.

【 Area 】 799380 square kilometers.

Population: 33 million (2022). The main ethnic groups include the Makua Lome ethnic group (accounting for about 40% of the total population), the Shona Kalanga ethnic group, the Shangana ethnic group, the Zoga ethnic group, the Malawi Nyanga ethnic group, the Makonde ethnic group, and the Yao ethnic group. The official language is Portuguese, and major ethnic groups have their own languages, with the vast majority belonging to the Bantu language family. 28.4% of residents believe in Catholicism, 17.9% believe in Islam, and the rest mostly follow primitive religions and Protestant Christianity.

【 Capital 】 Maputo, with a population of 1.86 million (2021).

President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi was elected in October 2014 and inaugurated in January 2015. Elected again in October 2019 and inaugurated in January 2020.

[Important Festival] Hero's Day: February 3rd; Women's Day: April 7th; Labor Day: May 1st; National Day: June 25th; Victory Day: September 7th; Army Day and Revolution Day of the People's Liberation Forces: September 25th; Christmas/Family Day: December 25th.

【 Overview 】 Located in southeastern Africa. It borders South Africa and Eswatini in the south, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi in the west, Tanzania in the north, the Indian Ocean in the east, and Madagascar across the Mozambique Channel. The coastline is 2630km long. Plateau and mountainous areas account for about 3/5 of the national area, while the rest are plains. It belongs to the tropical grassland climate, with an average annual temperature of 20 ℃ (southern region) and 26 ℃ (northern region). October to March of the following year is the warm and humid season, while April to September is the cool and dry season.

In the 13th century, the Mashuna people established the Kingdom of Monomatapa in present-day Zimbabwe and Mozambique, but its power gradually declined in the early 16th century. In 1505, it was invaded by Portuguese colonizers and became a "protectorate" of Portugal in 1700. In 1752, it was directly ruled by the Governor General of Portugal and was then known as "Portuguese East Africa". In 1951, Portugal renamed it as the "Overseas Department". During the colonial period, the people of Mo fought tenaciously for national liberation. On September 7, 1974, the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRETILIN) signed the Lusaka Agreement with the Portuguese government regarding Mozambique's independence. On September 20th, a transitional government with the Liberation Party as the main body was established. On June 25, 1975, Mozambique officially declared independence and established the People's Republic of Mozambique. In 1990, the country was renamed as the Republic of Mozambique. After independence, the Mozambique National Resistance Movement (RENAMO) engaged in long-term anti-government armed activities. On October 4, 1992, the Mo government and RENAMO signed the General Peace Agreement in Rome, ending a 16 year long civil war.

Since the restoration of peace in 1992, the Mo government has been stable for a long time. The government actively maintains ethnic unity and its domestic and foreign policies are relatively stable and pragmatic. In six multi-party parliamentary and presidential elections in 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019, the Liberation Party won. In October 2019, Mo successfully held his sixth general election, with the Parti for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong winning 184 out of 250 seats in parliament, while Newcastle won the presidency with 73% of the vote. In October 2024, Mozambique held its seventh general election, in which Daniel Chappo, the candidate of the Parti de la Liberaci ó n, won the election.

In May 2013, there was a small-scale conflict between RENAMO and government forces. In August 2014, the government signed a ceasefire agreement with RENAMO to end military hostilities. After the October 2014 general election, RENAMO suspended dialogue with the government, and the conflict between the two sides escalated. At the end of 2016, RENAMO announced a temporary halt to armed attacks against the government. In May 2017, both sides agreed to an indefinite ceasefire and actively engaged in political dialogue. In early 2018, the government and RENAMO reached a consensus on decentralization of power and disarmament. In July 2019, RENAMO held a ceremony to launch the disarmament process. In August, the government and RENAMO signed a peace agreement, announcing the official cessation of military hostilities. In June 2023, the last armed base of RENAMO will be closed, marking the end of the disarmament process. At present, the situation in Mozambique is basically stable.

The current Constitution came into effect in December 2004. The Constitution stipulates the implementation of a multi-party system, separation of party and government, and judicial independence; The President is the head of state and government, and both the President and members of parliament are directly elected by the people for a term of 5 years, renewable for one term; Implement a market economy with multiple economic components coexisting; Expand civil liberties and rights, abolish the death penalty, etc.

The Parliament of the Republic of Mozambique is the highest legislative body of the country. The current parliament was formed in January 2020 based on the results of the sixth general election, with a term of 5 years. Out of 250 seats, the Liberation Party holds 184 seats, the Movement for Democracy holds 60 seats, and the Democratic Movement Party holds 6 seats. Current Speaker: Esperan ç a Laurinda Francisco Nhuiane Bias.

The President is the head of government, and the Prime Minister is entrusted by the President to convene and preside over the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers is the highest executive body of the country, accountable to the Parliament of the Republic. The current government was established in January 2020 and underwent significant restructuring in November 2021 and March 2022. The main members are: Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Adriano Afonso Maleiane, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Ver ó nica Nataniel Macamo Dlhovo (female), Minister of Defense Cristovao Chume, Minister of Interior Arsenia Massingue, Minister of Transport and Communications Mateus Magala, Minister of Education and Human Development Carmelita Rita Namashulua (female), Minister of Culture and Tourism Eldevina Materlula Ula, female, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Celso Correa Ismael Correia, Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security Margarida Adamugy Talapa, Minister of Private Affairs of the Presidential Palace Constantino Bacela, Minister of Health Armindo Daniel Tiago, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Action Nyeleti Brooke Mondlane, Minister of Land and Environment Ivete Maibaze, Minister of State Administration and Public Officials Ana Comoana, Minister of Oceans, Inland Waters and Fisheries Lidi L í dia da Gra ç a Cardoso, female, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Carlos Joaquim Zakaria Joaquim Zacarias, Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources Carlos Alberto Fortes Mesquita, Minister of Industry and Trade Silvino Augusto Jos é Moreno, Minister of Justice, Constitution and Religious Affairs Helena Mateus Kida, Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education Daniel Nivagara, Minister of War Affairs Josefina Beato Mateus Mpelo.

The national administrative divisions are provinces, cities, and counties. There are currently 10 provinces, 65 cities (including 1 municipality directly under the central government), and 154 counties. 10 provinces: Niassa, Cabo Delgado, Nampula, Zambezia, Tete, Manica, Sofala, Inhambane, Gaza, Maputo. Directly administered municipality: Maputo. The major cities in the country include Maputo, Beira, Nampula, etc.

The judicial system includes the Supreme Court, provincial, county, and district courts, as well as the People's Procuratorate of the Republic. Supreme Court President Adelino Muchanga (approved by parliamentary vote in July 2014, re elected in September 2024). Attorney General Beatriz Buchili (appointed in July 2014 and re elected in August 2019).

In 1990, the political party switched to a multi-party system. The Political Parties Law officially came into effect in 1991. The Political Parties Law stipulates that all political parties must adhere to the three principles of maintaining national unity, promoting patriotism, and consolidating democracy in Mozambique. It emphasizes that all political parties must have a national character and cannot be based on individual regions, tribes, or religions; It must be conducive to the peace and stability of the country, and must not seek to change the political and social order of the country through violence; Do not engage in separatism; At least 100 party members must be registered in each province, and their headquarters must be located in the capital. There are over 20 legal political parties in the country.

(1) Partido Frelimo, also known as the Mozambique Liberation Front Party, is the ruling party. Established on June 25, 1962, formerly known as the Mozambique Liberation Front, it was renamed to its current name in February 1977 and has nearly 4.5 million party members (as of 2017). In 1977, the Third National Congress of the Communist Party of China designated it as the "Marxist Leninist Vanguard Party". In 1989, the "Fifth National Congress" was renamed as the "All People's Party". The party advocates "respecting human rights, maintaining peace and progress, narrowing domestic social and regional disparities, and distributing wealth more fairly", with the goal of "establishing a Mozambican society based on democratic socialism, equality, freedom, and unity". In March 2015, the Fourth Plenary Session of the Tenth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held, and Gebuza resigned from his position as party chairman, while Neusi was elected as party chairman. In September 2022, the Liberation Party held its 12th National Congress and held elections for the general secretary, members of the Central Committee, and members of the Political Committee. Neusi was re elected as the party chairman, and Roque Silva was re elected as the general secretary.

(2) Mozambique National Resistance Movement (Renamo), abbreviated as RENAMO. It is the second largest party in Mozambique and the main opposition party. Established in early 1976, it has been engaged in anti-government armed activities for a long time and once had more than 10000 troops. In 1994, RENAMO officially announced its transformation from a military organization to a political party. Approved as a legal political party in the same year. In the first multi-party general election held in October 1994, the party received 37.78% of the vote and held 112 seats in parliament, becoming the second largest party in Mozambique. On May 3, 2018, the former leader of RENAMO, Delakama, passed away due to illness. In January 2019, RENAMO held its sixth party congress and Osufo Momode was elected as the new party chairman. In the general election held in October 2019, the RENAMO party won 60 seats, with its chairman and presidential candidate, Mohamed, receiving 21.88% of the votes. General Secretary Clementina Bomba.

Other influential political parties include the Mozambique Democratic Movement Party (MDM), the Action Party for Unity and Salvation (AMUSI), the Party for Peace, Democracy and Development (PDD), the Democratic Union (UD), and the Labour Party (PT).

[Important Person] Filipe Jacinto Neusi: President, Chairman of the Parti de Defeat. Born on February 9th, 1959. The former Czechoslovakia Brno Military Academy has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and a master's degree in management from Victoria University in Manchester, UK. Served as Director, Manager, Executive Director, and Defense Minister of the Railway Department of the Mozambique National Port and Railway Company. Elected as President in October 2014, inaugurated in January 2015, elected as Chairman of the Liberation Party in March 2015, and re elected in September 2022. Elected as president again in October 2019 and re elected in January 2020.

Adriano Maleane: Prime Minister. Born on November 6, 1949, economist. Bachelor of Economics from Mondlane University in Mozambique and Master of Agricultural Economics and Finance from the University of London in the United Kingdom. Have experience in serving as a senior executive in a company. Formerly served as Minister of Economy and Finance and Governor of the Central Bank of Mozambique, and will assume his current position from March 2022.

Economy refers to the world's least developed countries and heavily indebted poor countries declared by the United Nations. The economy is mainly based on agriculture and fisheries, with industrial added value accounting for about 24% of the gross domestic product. After independence, the economy suffered long-term difficulties due to factors such as years of civil war and natural disasters. After achieving peace in 1992, the government vigorously adjusted the economic structure, improved the investment environment, introduced foreign investment, increased investment in agriculture and rural areas, accelerated infrastructure construction, advocated increasing revenue and reducing expenses, and achieved rapid economic recovery growth, with an average annual growth rate of nearly 10% at one point.

The international financial crisis once had a significant negative impact on Mozambique's exports and attracting foreign investment, but the Mozambique government maintained stable economic growth by increasing infrastructure investment, vigorously developing the tourism industry, improving the investment environment, and encouraging the development of resources such as minerals, energy, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.

Since 2016, due to factors such as the decline in international commodity prices and the slowdown in domestic natural gas development, Mozambique's major economic indicators have continued to deteriorate, and the debt problem has become prominent. To cope with the downward pressure on the economy, the Mo government has taken measures such as increasing taxes and reducing expenditures, attracting foreign investment, and accelerating industrialization, which have achieved positive results. Since 2017, with the official launch of Block 4 and Block 1 offshore natural gas projects in the Rovuma Basin in northern Mozambique, the economic situation in Mozambique has improved. Major countries and international financial institutions are optimistic about its long-term development prospects. In March and April 2019, tropical cyclones Idai and Kenneth caused significant negative impacts on the economy of Mozambique. In 2020, affected by the COVID-19, the price of coal and aluminum, the main export products of Mozambique, once halved, and the development of offshore natural gas in the north slowed down. In November 2022, the Mo offshore natural gas project began commercial production and achieved the export of liquefied natural gas. The natural gas export value of Mozambique in 2023 is 1.7 billion US dollars.

The main economic data for 2023 are as follows (data from the London Economic Quarterly Review):

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): 19.7 billion US dollars

Per capita Gross Domestic Product: 590 US dollars

Economic growth rate: 5%

Foreign exchange reserves: 3.515 billion US dollars

Total external debt: 63.657 billion US dollars

Currency name: Metical

Exchange rate: 1 US dollar ≈ 64 meticar

[Resources] There are coal, iron, copper, gold, tantalum, titanium, bismuth, aluminum, asbestos, graphite, mica, marble and natural gas, among which coal reserves exceed 32 billion tons, titanium reserves exceed 6 million tons, tantalum reserves rank first in the world, about 7.5 million tons, and natural gas reserves exceed 5.5 trillion cubic meters. Most of the mineral deposits have not yet been mined. 51% of the country is covered by forests, with a total forest resource of approximately 1.74 billion cubic meters. The water resources are abundant, with an installed capacity of 2.075 million kilowatts at the Kaolabasa Hydropower Station (HCB) on the Zambezi River. The MOZAL aluminum plant, jointly established by BHP Billiton, Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan, Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa, and the Mozambican government, was officially put into operation in 2000. The plant is the first joint venture and the largest enterprise in Mozambique. Brazil's Vale and Australia's Riversdale (controlled by Rio Tinto Group in the UK) are exploring and developing coal in the central Tete province of Mo. Several foreign oil companies, including the United States, Italy, China, France, South Korea, Portugal, Japan, India, Russia, South Africa, Qatar, etc., are conducting oil and gas exploration and development in the onshore and offshore areas of the Rovuma Basin in northern Mozambique.

Industry mainly refers to the processing industry, including aluminum processing, sugar production, tea making, grain and cashew processing, cigarette making, oil extraction, textile, wood, cement, oil refining, automobile assembly, battery and tire industries, mainly concentrated in cities such as Maputo, Beira and Nampula. Since 2000, with the completion and operation of large joint ventures such as MOZAL aluminum plant and Brazil's Vale coal mining project, the proportion of industrial output value to GDP has significantly increased. In 2023, the industrial output value of Mozambique was 147.2 billion meticar, a year-on-year decrease of 3.6%.

Agriculture is not an agricultural country, with rural population accounting for 66.6% of the total population. There are a total of 4 million farmers, of which 99% are engaged in family agriculture. The arable land area of Mozambique is 36 million hectares, of which 6 million hectares have been developed, and the livestock area is 12 million hectares. The agricultural output value accounts for 25% of the total GDP and 15% of Mozambique's exports. Cashew nuts, cotton, sugar, and sisal are traditional export agricultural products. The main grain crops include corn, rice, soybeans, cassava, etc. In 2017-2018, 181000 hectares of cotton were planted nationwide in Mozambique, with a total output of 66000 tons. The development potential of Mo's fishery resources is enormous, with a fishery output of 496300 tons in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 9%.

【 Transportation 】 Mo Railway and ports mainly serve inland neighboring countries. International freight was once one of the main sources of foreign exchange.

Railway: The total length is 4029 kilometers, but some lines have been discontinued due to aging or damage, and 3372 kilometers of lines are still in operation. It mainly consists of three east-west railway systems that are not connected to each other. The Moatize Nakara railway project, completed in 2014, is 902 kilometers long and connects the Moatize coal mining area in Tete Province. It passes through southern Malawi and Nyasa Province in Mozambique, and directly reaches the Nakara Port in Nampula Province. It can transport an average of 18 million tons of coal per year and began operation in January 2016. In 2022, the Mo Railway transported approximately 2462 tons of goods, a year-on-year increase of 30%, and transported 5.5 million passengers, a year-on-year increase of 81%.

Highway: The total length is about 30600 kilometers. Among them, there are 8268 kilometers of asphalt roads, and the north-south highway trunk line (National Highway 1) is being repaired in sections. The east-west highway trunk lines are the Maputo Corridor in the south (National Highway 4), the Beira Corridor in the center (National Highway 6), and the Nacala Corridor in the north.

Water transportation: 1500 kilometers of inland waterway routes and over 2600 kilometers of coastline. There are 15 ports including Maputo, Beira, and Nacala. Maputo is the largest port in Mozambique and one of the famous modern ports in Africa. It has 25 wharves with a maximum water depth of 14.3 meters, which can accommodate 120000 ton ships. In 2023, the cargo throughput will be 31.2 million tons. There are railways leading to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Eswatini in the port. Beira Port is the second largest port in Mozambique, with 12 docks and a water depth of 8-10 meters. It has an annual throughput capacity of 5 million tons and can accommodate 50000 ton cargo ships. The railway in the port connects to Zimbabwe and Malawi. Nacala Port is the third largest port in Mozambique, with 6 terminals and an annual throughput capacity of 2.2 million tons. It has a dedicated coal terminal and a railway leading to the coal production area in Tete Province. Air freight: Mozambique Airlines has 14 aircraft of various sizes. There are air routes between the capital and various provinces, with international routes leading to countries such as Portugal, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Kenya. There are over 20 airports of various sizes, including 4 international airports. In September 2017, Ethiopian Airlines and Malawian Airlines won the bid to operate domestic routes in Mozambique, becoming the first foreign airlines to operate domestic routes in Mozambique.

There are a total of 19 commercial banks in the country, most of which are Portuguese owned banks, including Millennium Bank (Mozambique), Standard Bank, Trade and Investment Bank, Barclays Bank (Mozambique), and International Trade Bank. There are a total of 5 insurance companies, mainly Mozambique Insurance Company, Fidelidade Insurance, etc. According to data from the Ministry of Finance of Mozambique, the country's national revenue in 2023 was 321.9 billion meticals (approximately 5.03 billion US dollars), a year-on-year increase of 12.7%. The total national tax revenue is 293.5 billion meticar (approximately 4.59 billion US dollars).

With the completion and operation of several large joint ventures such as MOZAL Aluminum Plant, Mozambique's foreign trade exports have significantly increased in recent years, and the manufacturing industry has replaced agriculture and fisheries as the main export industry. Mo's main export products are coal, aluminum ingots, heavy sand, natural gas, etc. The main imported products are machinery and equipment, fuel, building materials, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, grain, etc. The import and export volume in recent years is as follows (in millions of US dollars):