Cyclone Freddy returns; inflation back in double figures

Also: TotalEnergies bids for a new project, as it prepares to return to Afungi

Good afternoon. It’s a packed Monday newsletter today and it’s already getting late, so we’ll let you dive straight in. We have new inflation figures, bids in for Mphanda Nkuwa, counting the cost of Freddy’s return, and yet more speculation on TotalEnergies’ return.

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Agenda: 

• Tomorrow: funeral of rapper Azagaia at 2pm at Michafutene cemetery, preceded by a wake at 8am, at the Maputo city council square

• Tomorrow: Council of Ministers weekly meeting

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The latest from Zitamar News:

Cyclone Freddy brings destruction and flooding to Mozambique again
Central Mozambique has suffered severe flooding and damage to infrastructure as Cyclone Freddy sweeps across the country for the second time in less than a month, killing at least five

Cyclone Freddy damage in Quelimane

Total and EDF submit bid for controversial Mozambique mega-dam project
French power players and a Japanese partner are bidding against an unlikely group of regional players for the right to partner with Mozambique on the next Zambezi mega-dam

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From the Zitamar Live Blog:

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Mozambique’s annual inflation rate rose back above 10% in February, thanks mainly to rises in the price of fruit and vegetables, due to heavy rains, and in public university fees due to the introduction of VAT

Banco de Moçambique @bancomoc

As frutas e vegetais e as propinas escolares são os produtos que mais contribuíram para o aumento da inflação, como consequência das cheias e da introdução do IVA, respectivamente. Para mais informações, aceda a ine.gov.mz #BancodeMoçambique #economia #inflação

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Also in the news:

• Total won’t export LNG from Mozambique until 2027 earliest

• World Bank to support Mozambique gas as part of energy transition

• Rehabilitation of N1 highway to start at the end of this year 

• Work to rehabilitate Mocimboa da Praia port to be completed in July 

• Police in Niassa seize AK-47 ammunition and 3 mortar rounds 

• Mozambique one of the least equal countries in Africa, World Bank says 

• Former defence minister still trying to sue journalist Armando Nenane

Today’s front pages in Maputo. Photo © Faizal Chauque / Zitamar News