The Mozambique Civil Aviation Institute (IACM) intends to strengthen coordination with the mineral resources and energy sector to ensure air transport and logistics solutions capable of meeting the growth needs of Mozambique’s extractive industry.
The intention was expressed on Wednesday in the port district of Nacala, in the northern province of Nampula, by the chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Mozambique Civil Aviation Institute (IACM), Emanuel Chaves, during the African Conference and Exhibition on Aviation and Mining (CAVAME-d), which brings together representatives of the aviation and extractive industry sectors to discuss opportunities for cooperation and development.
“We want to serve and ensure that this instrument of development, which is the extractive industry, does not lack air transport and logistics solutions for its growth,” Chaves said.
The official explained that the partnership with the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy aims to ensure that the extractive industry has air transport and logistics solutions that keep pace with its growth.
During his presentation at CAVAME-d, Chaves presented the Civil Aviation System Master Plan 2026–2045, approved by the Council of Ministers in January this year, as a strategic planning instrument to guide the development of the sector.
The plan comprises nine areas of intervention and 141 activities, including the modernisation of airport infrastructure, improvements to air connectivity, enhanced operational safety and the optimisation of airspace management.
According to the official, the initial investment estimate of US$710 million was revised downwards to US$420 million, with the aim of making the plan more realistic.
“We are currently working with the African Development Bank,” Chaves said, explaining that the parties are seeking to develop a development compact for the civil aviation system to mobilise funding for the implementation of the planned interventions.
The official highlighted the need to improve airport infrastructure, identifying Pemba Airport, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, and Vilankulo Airport, in Inhambane Province, in the south, among those expected to benefit from interventions to strengthen their capacity.
Chaves also revealed that a proposal had been submitted to the government, in coordination with IGEPE (the State Holdings Management Institute), to transform the civil aviation sector into a free economic zone exempt from taxes. The initiative is still subject to consideration by the competent authorities.
The Master Plan provides for measures to improve airspace management, strengthen the training of national professionals and promote regional integration, with a view to ensuring compliance with international safety standards and improving the provision of civil aviation services.
Source: AIM Moçambique