Follow the taxman for the action

Investors wanting to know where the action is in Mozambique just need to follow the tax authorities. Three new offices are being opened by the Mozambique Tax Authority (AT) in the cities of Matola, Pemba and Tete. These are in addition to offices in Maputo, Beira and Nampula. All are also major logistics hubs and the site of large-scale road, rail and warehousing investments. According to AT president Rosário Fernandes, the major investors based in these centres contribute 50% of the taxes raised in Mozambique – despite being only 2.5% of the tax base. This contribution is expected to grow to 70% over the next two to three years as gas and mining projects come on stream. According to the Mozambican government the large projects contributed some R3.4 billion in taxes during 2013.