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Mozambique: Doing business & staying in touch
Doing business in Mozambique
Business culture in Mozambique is generally formal and relationship-oriented, with personal trust and courtesy playing an important role in establishing successful working relationships. Initial meetings often begin with polite conversation before business matters are discussed.
Handshakes are the customary greeting, and titles and surnames should be used until invited to do otherwise. Seniority is respected, particularly in government departments and larger organisations, and decisions may require approval at several levels.
Smart business attire is expected for formal meetings, particularly in Maputo and other major business centres. Punctuality is appreciated, although meetings may not always begin exactly on time.
Portuguese is the official language of business and government, although English is increasingly used in international business, particularly in the tourism, mining and energy sectors. Having documents translated into Portuguese can be helpful when dealing with government agencies and local companies.
Mozambique's economy is based on agriculture, natural resources, manufacturing and services. Agriculture remains the largest source of employment, with many people engaged in small-scale farming producing crops such as cassava, maize, rice and beans, alongside commercial crops including cotton, sugar and cashew nuts.
The country has substantial natural resources, including natural gas, coal, graphite, rubies and heavy mineral sands. Large natural gas projects in the Rovuma Basin have attracted significant international investment and are expected to play an increasingly important role in Mozambique's economy, alongside established mining activities.
The services sector, including transport, telecommunications, banking and tourism, contributes a significant share of economic activity. Mozambique's long Indian Ocean coastline and deep-water ports at Maputo, Beira and Nacala also make the country an important transport corridor for several neighbouring landlocked countries.
Economic development continues to be affected by infrastructure challenges, poverty, tropical cyclones and periodic droughts, while an ongoing insurgency in parts of Cabo Delgado Province has disrupted some economic activities and investment in the north of the country.
Aluminium, natural gas, coal, electricity, heavy mineral sands, graphite, rubies, prawns, tobacco, sugar and cashew nuts.
Machinery, vehicles, petroleum products, electrical equipment, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs and manufactured goods.
Keeping in Touch in Mozambique
Mobile phone coverage is generally good in Maputo, Beira, Nampula, Pemba and other major towns, as well as along the principal highways. Coverage becomes less reliable in remote rural areas, national parks and some parts of northern Mozambique.
The main mobile network operators are Vodacom Mozambique, Movitel and Tmcel. Prepaid SIM cards and mobile data packages are widely available from network shops and authorised retailers, and identification is required when registering a SIM card.
Wi-Fi is available at most hotels, lodges, cafés and restaurants in Maputo, Beira and other major cities, as well as in many tourist destinations. Larger hotels and business centres generally offer the most reliable connections.
Internet access can be slower and less reliable in smaller towns, rural areas and remote parts of the country. Power outages and network interruptions may occasionally affect connectivity.
Mobile data is widely used as an alternative to Wi-Fi, with 3G and 4G services available in most populated areas through the country's main mobile network operators.
Mozambique has a diverse media landscape comprising radio, television, newspapers and online news platforms. Radio remains the most widely used source of news and information, particularly outside the major cities, with broadcasts available in Portuguese and several indigenous languages.
Television is provided by the state-owned Televisão de Moçambique (TVM) alongside a number of private broadcasters. Newspapers, online news websites and social media are important sources of information, particularly in urban areas.
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