The Mozambican government is studying the possibility of exempting young people from business registration fees and creating a specific tax regime for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) owned by youth, with the aim of facilitating business formalisation and stimulating youth entrepreneurship. The information was released on Thursday, 5 November, by the Mozambique News Agency (AIM).

The initiative was announced by President Daniel Chapo during an audience granted to the National Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ANJE), held on Tuesday, 3 November, in Maputo. On the occasion, the head of state advocated for a reduction in the financial and fiscal burdens that hinder the creation and growth of youth-led businesses.

According to Daniel Chapo, a study is under way to assess the viability of these measures, which could reduce formalisation costs and create more favourable fiscal conditions for youth entrepreneurship. The President considers that the costs associated with business legalisation represent an obstacle to entrepreneurial activity and may limit access to business opportunities, including public tenders.

Government Seeks to Improve Access to Credit

The head of state also advocated for a review of SME financing mechanisms, with particular focus on the Mutual Guarantee Fund, whose operationalisation continues to face obstacles that restrict access to credit.

In this context, he pointed to the need to simplify banking procedures and revealed that the government is working with the Bank of Mozambique on the definition of policies aimed at stimulating productive activity.

Daniel Chapo also highlighted the contribution of SMEs to job creation, income generation, and business development, describing young people as a strategic segment for the growth of the national economy.

ANJE Represents Around 3,000 Young Entrepreneurs

For her part, ANJE president Mara Cancune stated that the association represents approximately 3,000 entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 35, distributed across the country.

She described the audience as a landmark in the history of the organisation, founded in 2010, as it marked the first time in 16 years of activity that its representatives had been received at the Presidency of the Republic.

During the meeting, Mara Cancune presented proposals for cooperation with the state in the areas of business training, financing, digital transformation, preparation of domestic suppliers, and expansion of the association’s provincial branches.

She also advocated for greater participation by young entrepreneurs in discussions on economic policy, investment, and industrialisation, as well as the creation of permanent dialogue mechanisms with public institutions.

Daniel Chapo reiterated his willingness to continue working with ANJE, with a view to strengthening the participation of young entrepreneurs in Mozambique’s economic development, both in urban and rural areas.