A New Era for Mozambique: Key Reform and Renewal Promises from President Daniel Francisco Chapo

In his inaugural speech as the 5th President of the Republic of Mozambique, Daniel Francisco Chapo presented a comprehensive vision for the country’s renewal, focusing on several key areas and promising significant changes in governance. Here are the main promises and points from his speech:

Government and Administrative Reform:

• Reduction in government size, with fewer Ministries and elimination of State Secretariats equivalent to ministries, promising savings of 17 billion Meticais per year
• Elimination of the Deputy Minister position, replacing them with State Secretaries with clearly defined responsibilities
• Redefinition of Permanent Secretaries’ roles in Ministries
• Streamlining of supervised institutions (institutes, agencies, funds and universities)

Anti-Corruption Measures:

• Creation of a State Procurement Centre to oversee all public purchases
• Establishment of the State Inspector General’s Office, reporting directly to the Presidency
• Acceleration of state service digitalisation
• Implementation of stricter oversight of public companies
• Creation of independent committees to monitor investments and strategic decisions

Mining Sector Reform:

• Transformation of INAMI into a Mining Promotion Agency
• Mandatory public tenders or auctions for critical mineral concessions
• Guarantee of tangible benefits for local communities affected by mining
• Introduction of royalties, employment and social development programmes

Economic Development:

• Creation of the Mozambique Development Bank
• Establishment of unified platforms for state payments
• Review and renegotiation of all concessions and public-private partnerships
• Strengthening of the Tax Authority
• Implementation of digital transaction taxation
• Simplification of tax exemptions

Education:

• Free distribution of textbooks in both print and digital formats
• Investment in school construction and renovation, especially in rural areas
• Establishment of new technical schools in provincial capitals and districts
• Improvement of working conditions and teacher training

Healthcare:

• Re-equipment and expansion of community health centres
• Creation of mobile health units for remote communities
• Encouragement of public-private partnerships for specialised hospital construction
• Implementation of national vaccination and health education campaigns
• Improvement of healthcare professionals’ working conditions

Justice and Security:

• Prison system reform and revision of criminal legislation
• Transformation of the Constitutional Council into a Constitutional Court
• Creation of the Court of Auditors
• Establishment of a central unit to combat kidnappings and organised crime
• Creation of a community policing body
• Institution of an Internal Affairs Service to investigate police misconduct

Private Sector Support:

• Transformation of IPEME into a modern institution supporting SMEs
• Demonopolisation of the rail-port sector
• Tax exemptions for bus imports and public transport companies
• Real estate sector reform
• Simplification of visa system for tourists and investors
• Labour law revision

Foreign Policy:

• Strengthening of international cooperation, especially within SADC and African Union
• Continued commitment to CPLP
• Maintenance and strengthening of partnerships with international organisations and financial institutions

Social Measures:

• Creation of an Unemployment and Social Protection Fund
• Implementation of policies protecting the most vulnerable
• Specific programmes for women’s and girls’ empowerment
• Support for women-led entrepreneurial initiatives

The speech repeatedly emphasised the motto “LET’S WORK!” and focused on three main pillars: fighting corruption, administrative efficiency, and inclusive economic development. Chapo presented a vision of profound transformation for the Mozambican state, promising a more efficient, transparent government closer to the people.

The president also acknowledged specific challenges facing the country, including terrorism in Cabo Delgado, kidnappings in Maputo city, and socioeconomic issues such as youth unemployment and poverty. He emphasised the need for national unity and active citizen participation in monitoring and building the country’s future.

The speech concluded with a message of hope and a call for national unity, acknowledging that the proposed changes will require collective effort and determination. The president stressed that while the journey won’t be easy, with unity and hard work, Mozambique can achieve a prosperous future for all its citizens.