Mozambique’s Minister of Economy, Basílio Muhate, has called for accelerated reforms in the tourism sector, emphasising the need to strengthen public-private partnerships and integrate micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) into the tourism value chain, with the aim of boosting the sector’s contribution to national economic development, according to the Mozambique Information Agency (AIM).

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the second edition of the Mozambique Tourism Summit, held on 6 November in Vilankulo, Inhambane province, the Minister of Economy urged participants to translate the commitments and opportunities identified during the event into concrete investment projects. He said the outcomes of summit discussions must give rise to initiatives capable of driving growth in the country’s tourism industry.

Among the results expected, the minister cited the materialisation of investments, the development of new tourism ventures, the expansion of infrastructure, and the creation of employment opportunities. These initiatives, he said, should also contribute to diversifying the national economy through a stronger tourism sector.

Basílio Muhate called on participants to ensure that the next edition of the summit, scheduled for 2027, presents concrete results from the commitments made at this year’s gathering. He argued that the event should reflect tangible progress, including the presentation of investment projects that have moved from the commitment stage to actual implementation.

To oversee the implementation of these initiatives, Basílio Muhate reiterated the government’s commitment to monitoring projects and investments in the sector. This work will be carried out through the National Tourism Investment and Development Agency (ANDITUR) and the Investment and Export Promotion Agency (APIEX).

The minister also reiterated the importance of integrating MSMEs into the tourism value chain, describing this as a key component of the reforms needed to develop the sector. This measure, he added, must be accompanied by stronger public-private partnerships in order to convert identified opportunities into investment projects.

The second edition of the Mozambique Tourism Summit brought together a range of sector stakeholders to discuss investment opportunities, partnerships, and mechanisms aimed at promoting the development of tourism activities across the country.

The gathering served as a dialogue platform on the growth prospects of Mozambique’s tourism industry, underscoring the need to convert commitments into tangible outcomes. The 2027 edition is expected to provide an opportunity to assess progress in the implementation of the investments and initiatives announced at this year’s summit.