The government of Maputo province intends to attract manufacturers of agricultural machinery and equipment to the Moamba Special Economic Zone (SEZ), in a strategy aimed at strengthening domestic production and reducing dependence on imports. The initiative could facilitate the establishment of industrial units capable of supplying the agricultural sector and other economic activities.

The intention was announced by Maputo province governor Manuel Tule, who identified the manufacture of agricultural equipment as one of the activities the government seeks to promote within the zone, given the country's high reliance on imported inputs for agriculture. "Many of the products we use in agriculture are imported, so we believe that with the creation of the Special Economic Zone, companies that produce agricultural instruments could set up there," he said.

According to the governor, the establishment of these industrial units could strengthen national productive capacity, reduce equipment imports, and increase the supply of locally manufactured goods. The investment could also drive the development of suppliers and services linked to industry and agriculture.

Beyond agricultural equipment, Manuel Tule identified the production of construction materials as another area with potential to attract investment, advocating for the installation of companies capable of supplying strategic sectors of the economy. The push aims to diversify industrial activity and increase the availability of domestically produced goods.

To attract investors, the governor highlighted the fiscal incentives provided under the special economic zone regime, including exemptions from certain taxes and levies. "One of the fundamental strategies of the Special Economic Zone is fiscal incentives," he stated, arguing that these benefits could facilitate business establishment and accelerate the realisation of new investments.

The remarks follow the Council of Ministers' formal approval on 3 November of the decree establishing the Moamba SEZ in Maputo province, covering 64,000 hectares across the administrative posts of Moamba-Sede, Pessene, and Ressano Garcia. According to government spokesperson Inocêncio Impissa, the project aims to attract investments exceeding one billion US dollars and create more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The operationalisation of the SEZ is expected to benefit from the availability of land, energy, and water, as well as the existing road and rail connections in the region. For Manuel Tule, the priority is to secure the conditions necessary for businesses to establish themselves, transforming the zone into an industrial production hub, reducing external dependence, and stimulating the provincial economy.