The Cabo Delgado Province hosted a series of events from May 22 to 24 in Maputo, showcasing investment opportunities and promoting economic development in the Cabo Delgado region. These events featured high-level meetings and a comprehensive round table discussion focused on the role of the extractive industry in stabilizing and boosting the local economy.
The round table was led by Valige Tauabo, Governor of Cabo Delgado Province. Joining him were Silvino Moreno, Minister of Industry and Commerce, and Moisés Paulino, National Director of Hydrocarbons and Fuels at the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, as well as representatives of other stakeholders.
“Cabo Delgado is a region rich in mineral resources and has a significant development potential, but we need support from our partners to help us develop the economy, create more jobs and ensure a better future for the people of Cabo Delgado and all of Mozambique,” stated Governor Tauabo.
Minister Moreno highlighted that the extractive industries in Mozambique require a structured supply chain to support the country’s industrialization process.
Moisés Paulino, the National Director of Hydrocarbons and Fuels noted region’s richness in energy and mineral resources: “Cabo Delgado is rich in mineral resources, including solid minerals, ruby, gold, graphite, and gas. These resources can help drive the socio-economic development of the region,” noted Paulino.
Silvino Moreno, Minister of Industry and Commerce, and Moisés Paulino, National Director of Hydrocarbons and Fuels at the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, speaking at the Cabo Delgado Round Table in Maputo – May 24th, 2024
Onorio Manuel, the General Director of MozParks, highlighted the development opportunities in the Cabo Delgado region and presented the model and advantages of Cabo Delgado Parks, a network of industrial parks in the Montepuez, Balama, Ancuabe, and Palma districts, along with a logistics base in Pemba. This network, operated by MozParks, aims to accelerate economic development, promote youth employment, and develop the green economy. In collaboration with the MozYouth Foundation, a range of programs has already been developed.
“MozParks operates two industrial parks in the country. Our parks function around anchor companies that attract other projects, working together to develop the region by creating new jobs and supporting SMEs. This is a proven model, and our mission is to continue developing other regions of Mozambique based on this model. But, in order to do that, it is important to bring and keep the suppliers in Cabo Delgado where operations are happening.” said Manuel.
The parks in Cabo Delgado will offer diverse facilities, including agro-processing, construction, logistics, renewable energy, SME support, training, security, certification assistance, conservation, NGO spaces, cold storage, commercial areas, a food court, sports facilities, and residences to foster a holistic and sustainable business environment.
Geert Klok, President of the Chamber of Mines of Mozambique, called the Cabo Delgado Parks initiative a win-win for all stakeholders. “Local economic development can benefit all stakeholders. Industrial parks situated near anchor industries such as mining can provide employment for host communities and opportunities for local entrepreneurs,” stated Klok.
Investment Round Table on the development of Cabo Delgado province
Representatives of multinational companies operating in Cabo Delgado, such as Twigg Exploration and Mining, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies Mozambique, and ENI Rovuma Basin, also participated in the roundtable and expressed their support in shaping Mozambique’s economic landscape.
Arne Gibbs, the General Director of ExxonMobil in Mozambique, welcomed the Cabo Delgado Parks initiative and expressed company’s interest in supporting the development of economy in Cabo Delgado, noting the benefits for all stakeholders involved.
General Director of TotalEnergies in Mozambique, Maxime Rabilloud, and Technical Director of ENI Rovuma Basin, Ivan Codognotto, both expressed their interest in this initiative and commitment to the development of the northern part of the country. Supporting local communities by providing job opportunities and training is of crucial importance in driving economic growth.
Official Launch of the Cabo Delgado Parks Website
Launch of the Cabo Delgado Parks website by Valige Tauabo, Governor of Cabo Delgado Province and Silvino Moreno, Minister of Industry and Commerce
A significant highlight of the roundtable was the official launch of the Cabo Delgado Parks website, a new platform dedicated to promoting and facilitating investment in the region’s industrial parks. The website was inaugurated by the Governor of Cabo Delgado Province and Minister Moreno, marking the beginning of the round table.
This new digital platform aims to enhance transparency, provide up-to-date information on investment opportunities, and support the strategic development of industrial parks in Cabo Delgado. The launch marks a pivotal step in the province’s efforts to attract global investors and drive sustainable economic growth.
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.
New hot-dip galvanising plant at Capital Star Steel will enable local companies bid for LNG projects
A US$12 million investment at Capital Star Steel in Beluluane Industrial Park will see the construction of the biggest industrial Hot Dip Galvanising Plant of its kind in Mozambique. This installation will enable the production of specialised coatings for steel products that meet the international standards and requirements for gas pipelines, LNG process plants and general infrastructure. Consequently, local engineering contractors will be able to bid for the increasing demand for galvanised steelwork required by the Mozambique LNG and Rovuma LNG projects.
Commenting on the importance of this investment and the Mozambican Government’s drive for Local Content, Capital Star Steel CEO David Scheepers said: “We are proud to be part of the development of the economic structure and industrial manufacturing base of Mozambique. With an initial investment of over US$100 million in 2007, Capital Star Steel has been one of the largest investments in the Mozambican engineering sector. The galvanising plant is another investment that will enable our sector to develop international capacity and provide services that will benefit our economy in the long run.”
Historically, the investment of galvanising capacity in emerging markets have a resounding effect on the stimulation and growth of those economies. Scheepers said that Mozambique should be no different. As a country with a coastline of over 2 470 kilometres, and with the bulk of industrialisation taking place along the coast, the use of galvanising coating is recognised as the main solution to protect steel structures used in building bridges, transmission lines and towers, highways, airports, factories and plants such as Mozambique LNG and Rovuma LNG.
“Preliminary estimates for galvanised steel structures of Phase 1 of Total’s LNG project will provide Mozambican companies access to more 60 000 tons of steelwork opportunities, generating over 1200 direct jobs valued an estimate of US$160 million,” Scheepers said. “Including ExxonMobil’s Rovuma LNG and the recent announcement by Total of a possible further 2 trains, the opportunity for Mozambican fabricators could exceed 200 000 tons, a growth prospect generating significant employment opportunities and foreign investment into this sector.”
Beluluane Industrial Park Managing Director, Adrian Frey also commented: “This is excellent news for all local companies that are positioning themselves as suppliers to the LNG projects and other industries. It is an important step for local content development in Mozambique.”
About Capital Star Steel
Since 2009, Capital Star Steel has produced over 225,780 producing pipes totalling over 2,700 kilometres with exports to the USA, South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria and Eritrea. It is the largest steel pipe manufacturing plant on the African continent. Operating from the Beluluane Industrial Park and Free-trade Zone, the 108,760m2 facility comprises of a 34,780m2 undercover factory and has a production capacity of 200,000 tons.
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