Mozambique’s new president, Daniel Chapo, announced new tax measures, including renegotiating deals with foreign investors, in his inauguration speech on 15 January 2025. The measures aim to eliminate poverty and improve the country’s business climate.
Chapo has pledged to cut government costs, which include streamlining government, improving transparency, investing in education and healthcare, and modernising the economy to promote business growth.
Key measures included strengthening the autonomy of the tax authority and using international reference prices for import and export tax calculations to ensure justice in the mining sector. The government has also unveiled plans to hold public auctions for critical mineral concessions. In addition, reference prices for certain minerals were first implemented in 2023.
The government also plans to introduce new tariffs on imports of products Mozambique produces locally. Chapo added that international investment in ports and railways will be encouraged, and non-strategic state-owned companies will be privatised. In addition, customs duties and VAT exemptions for importing buses with over 30 seats will be introduced.
The government also plans to implement taxes on digital transactions. Digital transformation efforts include modernising government operations by establishing a Ministry of Communications and Digital Transformation and developing a unified platform for government services and payments. Additionally, digital taxation will be introduced to promote fairness in the digital economy.
