ZBIN Premium Talks: Maputo Opportunities

Our third premium talk yesterday was conducted by Charity Kanosvamhira a Zbinite based in Maputo and conclusion? Priceless…Remember Mozambique recently discovered oil and gas worth an estimated US$130 billion with drilling set ups already under way. The news has attracted plenty of investors from far and wide. There is so much optimism with a lot of infrastructure development underway. This is the most optimistic country in the region when it comes to investment although on a flipside some insurgents in the North are causing all sorts of havoc.

Key Points

• Agriculture –massive potential in cattle rearing, piggery, poultry, onions, tomatoes and oranges. Most of these products imported from South Africa but the Mozambique Government giving land and supporting farmers.
• Construction—massive boom, there is a construction explosion in Maputo, probably the fastest expanding city in SADC. Zimbos benefiting too but its not enough. Hotels, residential and commercial properties. Builders, welders and other artisans—open cheque there for you.
• International Schools—Students are treated as clients! Teachers should ensure that students pass locals exams. They inform students what is coming in exams and ensure every student passes exams. For this reason, the Zimbo expat community prefers Zimbo education or sending their children to Swaziland for education. If you crowdfund and set up a boarding school in Maputo with Zimbo educational standards then wapinda!
• Events Management—Opportunities for those interested in events management including consultancies for companies setting up  in Maputo interested in hiring employees or familiarisation with Mozambique systems.
• Traffic to Maputo—there are 3 buses that leave Mbare every Wednesday and Saturday  headed for Maputo through the Sango border. Two buses leave Mbare taking passengers to the border at the same time. Expect more buses in future heading the same direction.
• Two gas plants constructed in Maputo as the city taps into newly found gas reserves offshore. Opportunities Red flag—If a gas plant is constructed in Beira then new opportunities for Zimbo traders. Most of our gas imported from South Africa but South Africa does not have gas fields—so watch closely developments in this new venture.
• Insurgents in Cabo Delgado—yes there is war in Mozambique but its mainly concentrated in the mineral rich provincio of Cabo Delgado to the far Northern region bordering Tanzania. The distance between Maputo and Cabo Delgado is like Harare and Durban. Our oil trucks ferrying fuel from Beira are currently doing so safely. Some Zimbo  engineers are also working on the gas and oil rig plants in Cabo Delgado and Maputo.
• Nigerian Entrepreneurs—they own most of the tuckshops in Maputo which sell goods at a much cheaper price than leading retail shops such as SPAR. They are joined by the Rwandese and Burundians.
• Expat Salaries—Mozambique now preferring their own expertise with expats being replaced by locals. Some expats now resorting to getting Mozambican citizenship. Please note that there are no USD salaries in Maputo—you get paid in Meticais and convert to USD.
• Traffic to Swaziland(Eswatini)—there is growing traffic of Zimbos heading to Eswatini with even a kombi owned by a Zimbo based in Maputo transporting compatriots to the mountain kingdom. What business they are doing there is still under wraps.  
• Afrikaner Community—When it comes to tapping into opportunities in Africa, our white cousins from Mzantsi come top and are followed by Nigerians with Burundians and Somalis following. The Afrikaner community has formed various investment forums. They have every reason to panic for the gas industry is going through a transformation. SA will in future lose gas  markets in Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and DRC. What is worse? They will also import gas from Mozambique! Question is where are Zimbabweans?
• Bedsheets—Maputo is a humid coastal town and there is huge demand for bedsheets and this market is ours with some Zimbo ladies exporting bedsheets over the years. They sell on credit and collecting their money after agreed periods. Well done to Zimbos!

This is just a snapshot and there is more but instead of inquiring or relying on hearsay, get yourself in Maputo and observe developments on the ground. To Zimbos in SA, Maputo is a few hours away from Jozi. Team up with others just like the Afrikaners and not be left behind.

Of course learn basic Portuguese—unlike Beira and Tete where you can get your way around using Shona, in Maputo its strictly Portuguese, few communicate in English.

Homework for Zimtrade: Mobilise Mrewa and Mtoko farmers, teach them about access to Mozambique fruit and vegetables markets. Help them to process border paper work and export their produce across Nyamapanda Border Post. It does not make sense for Tete to import fresh produce from Joburg passing through Zimbabwe and through Mrewa and Mtoko when we can easily do so in less than 2 hours.

No doubt a long article, apologies for taking your precious time but this kind of information can only be found from ZBIN—discussions, our books and website. Make a date with us for the next Premium Talk next Friday.

Muito Obrigado