The Mozambican government has approved a new Industrial Activity Licensing Regulation that introduces tacit approval of applications when licensing authorities fail to respond within the legal deadline, and provides for the issuance of digital licences. The rules take effect on 8 November and are designed to simplify procedures and accelerate the licensing process.

The new legislation replaces the 2014 regulation and establishes that the absence of a decision within the prescribed timeframe constitutes approval of the application. ‘The expiry of the deadline without the licensing authority issuing its decision gives rise to tacit approval,’ the document states.

All procedures will be processed through the e-BAU platform. Licences will be issued in electronic format and will include QR codes to allow verification of their authenticity.

The regulation also sets deadlines for the different stages of the process: five working days for the assessment of applications and documentation, three days for the approval of industrial projects, and five days for the granting of installation authorisation.

Industrial activities will be classified into four categories — micro, small, medium, and large industries — according to criteria including investment volume, installed capacity, and number of employees. As a general rule, micro-industries will have investments of up to 1.5 million meticais and a maximum of ten workers.

These units will benefit from a simplified regime, with exemptions from mandatory prior project approval, installation authorisation, and compulsory inspections in the cases provided for under the regulation.

Licences for small, medium, and large industries will be valid for five years, while those for micro-industries will be valid for three. All licences may be renewed.

The regulation provides for sanctions covering installation or operation without a licence or authorisation, failure to comply with legal requirements, and the provision of false information. Applicable measures include fines, suspension of activity, seizure or sealing of equipment, and closure of units.

The streamlining of the licensing process forms part of the government’s broader commitment to digitalising the public administration. In July, in an interview with Lusa, President Daniel Chapo stated that bureaucracy in the country has its ‘days numbered’ thanks to the digitalisation of public services.

‘Our objective in digitalising public services is, first, to ensure the speed of processes and, second, efficiency in serving businesses and citizens as a whole,’ he said.