MozParks had the honor of welcoming today a delegation of senior executives from ExxonMobil Moçambique at Beluluane Industrial Park (BIP). Hosted by MozParks’ General Manager, Onorio Manuel, the visit underscored company’s crucial role in the local economy and sustainable development.

Beluluane Industrial Park welcomed Mr. Suleimane Meguegy, Senior Socioeconomic Advisor at ExxonMobil Moçambique, Mr. Armando Afonso, Public and Government Affairs Manager, and Mr. Adel Abumasser, Socioeconomic Manager. This visit followed the investment round table held in May, which focused on the development potential of Cabo Delgado province and represents a continuation of the discussions about its growth opportunities.

The delegation toured seven prominent companies within BIP, including ETG Steel Solution, Sunshine Nuts, Bosch Rexroth, Raxio Data Centre, Dendustri Technical, Laresh International, and Duys Moçambique. These companies exemplify the advanced industrialization model of MozParks, driving development, job creation, and promoting circular economies within the community.

Adel Abunasser, from ExxonMobil, expressed his admiration for the interconnectedness of the companies within the park. He noted this synergy lets companies access resources internally, highlighting MozParks’ vital support for the park’s success.

Marco Correia, the Director of Duys Moçambique, highlighted the strategic importance of industrial parks like Beluluane. He remarked, “Duys is in Topuito for anchor project Kenmare, Beluluane for Mozal, and considering Cabo Delgado for oil & gas.” This reflects MozParks’ strategy, enabling companies to thrive in various locations based on industry demands.

Cabo Delgado Parks Initiative

At the Investment Round Table organized by Cabo Delgado province recently, Onorio Manuel presented the model and advantages of Cabo Delgado Parks. This network of industrial parks in the Montepuez, Balama, Ancuabe, and Palma districts, has a logistics base in Pemba. Operated by MozParks, this initiative aims to accelerate economic development, promote youth employment, and develop the green economy.

The event saw participation from representatives of multinational companies operating in Cabo Delgado, including Twigg Exploration and Mining, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies Mozambique, and ENI Rovuma Basin. All expressed their support for shaping Mozambique’s economy by providing jobs and training to local communities to drive growth in the north.

Maputo, Mozambique – May 28, 2024 – Raxio Group, a pioneer in the development, implementation, and operation of large-scale, Tier III, Carrier-Neutral Data Centers across Africa, inaugurated today Mozambique’s first Tier III data centre, Raxio Data Centre, LDA, at MozParks’ Beluluane Industrial Park. This landmark facility represents a significant investment of over 20 million US dollars and marks a pivotal moment in Mozambique’s digital transformation journey.

The newly established data centre is the first independent, state-of-the-art, Tier III facility in Mozambique, certified by the Uptime Institute. It offers a neutral connectivity environment, providing unparalleled flexibility for customers to interconnect with a diverse range of carriers and colocation providers. This carrier-neutral facility is designed to enhance the digital economy by providing a reliable storage environment operated by a team of skilled young Mozambicans.

Speaking at the inauguration event, Robert Mullins, CEO of Raxio Group, highlighted the importance of this development: “We are excited to be a critical cornerstone in supporting the growth of the country’s evolving digital economy, helping to accelerate the adoption for digital tools and services across industries.” Mullins expressed his gratitude towards MozParks for opening the doors of Beluluane Industrial Park for Raxio and for making it a home of the first data center of this type in Mozambique. 

Left to right: MozParks General Director – Onorio Manuel, CEO of Raxio Group – Robert Mullins, Raxio’s General Manager in Mozambique – Emidio Amadebai at the launch of first Raxio data center in Mozambique

The new data centre is not only a testament to Raxio’s dedication to advancing digital infrastructure in Africa but also a critical feature of Mozambique’s evolving digital backbone. With a 25% increase in the number of internet users in the country over the past year, the facility will support the growing demand for digital tools and services across industries.

Manuel Tule, Governor of Maputo Province, inaugurated the data center and congratulated Raxio on this milestone, highlighting the importance of investments in digital infrastructure for the entire country. 

Manuel Tule, Governor of Maputo Province

Onorio Manuel, General Director of MozParks, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration: “Opening of Raxio’s Data centre in Beluluane Industrial Park is a significant milestone for Mozambique. This facility will not only boost the local digital economy but also create numerous opportunities for young professionals in Mozambique. We look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our community,” said Manuel, thanking Raxio for choosing Beluluane Industrial Park for this investment and highlighting MozParks’ commitment in supporting Raxio and other companies in the park. He continued by inviting other investors to follow Raxio’s example in joining the Beluluane Industrial Park, which at the moment has 400ha of land to accommodate further projects.

MozParks’ Legacy

As Mozambique’s sole operator of Sustainable Economic Zones, MozParks has leveraged the eco-industrial model to promote collective spaces where tenants share resources to increase profitability, local production, and environmental care. The company offers a business-friendly climate with administrative support for licensing and compliance, quality infrastructure, 80 MW of power, and tax incentives, making Mozambique accessible for investment.

“The establishment of Raxio Data Centre in our industrial park underscores the strategic importance of MozParks in attracting major international companies. It reflects our commitment to providing a conducive environment for businesses to thrive and participate in the economic development of Mozambique. We are excited to see such significant investments in our parks, which will undoubtedly contribute to the overall growth and modernization of Mozambican economy.” Manuel added.

About MozParks

MozParks is a developer and operator of Sustainable Economic Zones, established as a public-private partnership between the Mozambican Government Agency for Investment and Export Promotion (APIEX) and Swiss-Mozambican investors. As the only industrial park operator in Mozambique, MozParks manages parks in Beluluane and Nampula, with plans for expansion into Cabo Delgado province. To date, MozParks has attracted over 50 companies from 18 countries, securing over USD 3 billion in investments at the Beluluane park in Maputo province.