The Maputo Municipal Council has introduced a new tourist transport service in the country’s capital, deploying a double-decker bus — branded the ‘Red Bus Tour’ — with an open upper deck. The vehicle entered service on Tuesday, 10 November, as part of celebrations marking the city’s 139th anniversary.

The initiative is designed to offer tourists a new way to experience the city through dedicated sightseeing routes. With the service now operational, Maputo gains an additional transport option specifically oriented towards tourism.

The Red Bus Tour forms part of the broader programme of activities commemorating the capital’s anniversary and accompanies other municipal initiatives aimed at promoting cultural heritage and public spaces. In this context, the Municipal Council has been promoting artistic interventions and cultural activities across the city’s different districts.

According to municipal president Rasaque Manhique, 48 artistic murals have been inaugurated since the start of his administration. The works have transformed various public spaces into open-air art galleries, contributing to the city’s artistic identity.

In the area of cultural promotion, the municipality organised cultural exchanges across all seven municipal districts, reaching approximately 5,500 participants. The activities form part of broader efforts to expand residents’ engagement in the capital’s cultural life.

Rasaque Manhique also highlighted support extended to 180 cultural organisations and event promoters, as well as the implementation of heritage education programmes involving around 3,500 residents. Presenting a summary of activities, he stated: ‘We promoted cultural exchanges across the seven municipal districts, mobilised around 5,500 participants, supported 180 cultural entities and event promoters, and developed heritage education programmes involving around 3,500 residents.’

Maputo: A City of Historical and Economic Significance

The launch of the new bus service takes place in a city whose historical trajectory stretches back to the era when it was known as Lourenço Marques. Maputo was elevated to city status on 10 November 1887 and was designated the capital of Mozambique in 1898. Today, it is the country’s principal political, administrative, and economic centre.

The capital’s economic importance is reflected in data from the National Statistics Institute (INE). According to the 2024 Maputo City Statistical Bulletin, covering data for 2023, the city recorded a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 170.2 billion meticais, equivalent to 12.7% of national economic output. Over the same period, the local economy grew by 8.6%.

In the tourism sector, INE data for 2024 shows the city had 195 hotels and similar establishments, up from 191 the previous year. Total accommodation capacity increased from 13,499 to 13,556 beds. However, the number of guests declined from 373,582 in 2023 to 280,599 in 2024. These indicators provide context for the capital’s tourism activity at a time when the municipality is introducing new services aimed at visitors.