Strengths Weaknesses Dynamic development of Limited capacity of Mozambique to Mozambique, backed by the exploit and use its own natural government’s willingness to resources (e.g. gaz production : 95% promote private investment for South Africa, 5% for National potential for gas Mozambique) production (possibly oil as well) Private companies are in a Strategic geographic position as a strong position, and agreements with gateway for the oil supply of the government often mainly benefit landlocked countries business, rather than local Social and environmental issues populations or the environment. among government priorities. Incomplete planning for Integrated Presence of established NGOs and Coastal Zone Management. organisations with experience in Poor knowledge of legal framework coastal zone management and official population rights at the Land availability local level High percentage of the population living in coastal areas, which facilitates competition for land resources Difficult access to remote parts of the country due to poor infrastructure network Opportunities Threats Oil and gas development could The economic importance of generate employment and facilitate numerous projects (refineries, the development of infrastructure ports, pipelines, etc) with foreign and services investors could decrease Oil and gas activities are environmental and social implemented by large companies, considerations which are generally engaged in Increases in oil operations (drilling, corporate social responsibility exploitation, transport, processing, Greater NGO involvement. storage etc) will increase oil spill Implementation of EITI activities risks. and improvement of civil society’s Private companies from emerging involvement in the activities of countries are not always respectful extractive industries. of environmental and social Biofuels development in regulations Mozambique is under international Biofuels investors, often associated scrutiny and could benefit from with state owned companies, have practices” support such an economic power that they “best could overstep the guidance of national strategies to develop their projects only on marginal lands 8. Bibliography
Strengths Dynamic development of Mozambique, backed by the government’s willingness to promote private investment National potential for gas production (possibly oil as well) Strategic geographic position as a gateway for the oil supply of landlocked countries Social and environmental issues among government priorities. Presence of established NGOs and organisations with experience in coastal zone management Land availability Weaknesses Limited capacity of Mozambique to exploit and use its own natural resources (e.g. gaz production : 95% for South Africa, 5% for Mozambique) Private companies are in a strong position, and agreements with the government often mainly benefit business, rather than local populations or the environment. Incomplete planning for Integrated Coastal Zone Management. Poor knowledge of legal framework and official population rights at the local level High percentage of the population living in coastal areas, which facilitates competition for land resources Difficult access to remote parts of the country due to poor infrastructure network Opportunities Oil and gas development could generate employment and facilitate the development of infrastructure and services Oil and gas activities are implemented by large companies, which are generally engaged in corporate social responsibility Greater NGO involvement. Implementation of EITI activities and improvement of civil society’s involvement in the activities of extractive industries. Biofuels development in Mozambique is under international scrutiny and could benefit from “best practices” support Threats The economic importance of numerous projects (refineries, ports, pipelines, etc) with foreign investors could decrease environmental and social considerations Increases in oil operations (drilling, exploitation, transport, processing, storage etc) will increase oil spill risks. Private companies from emerging countries are not always respectful of environmental and social regulations Biofuels investors, often associated with state owned companies, have such an economic power that they could overstep the guidance of national strategies to develop their projects only on marginal lands 8. Bibliography
Mozambique%20Annex%20XI%20CLA%20final%20draft%2014-01-2011.docx