Zitamar Weekly 18 August 2017: New loans, same obfuscation

Good afternoon. This week, Mozambique’s leading transparency watchdog, CIP, turned the spotlight on a new set of loans made by overseas banks to fund government projects.

Although the $123 million loans from China’s Exim Bank are by no means as murky as the EMATUM and ProIndicus deals that have plunged the country into an economic crisis, CIP’s assessment that the government needs to be far more transparent about its source of funds is difficult to gainsay in the current climate.

SEE: Government must improve transparency over bank loans, says CIP

Where transparency is improving in Mozambique is in the country’s population count. The first census for a decade concluded this week, with 27 million people counted. But Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama was not among them.

SEE: Renamo leader not among 27m counted in Mozambique census

The IMF may still be mulling over whether to restart financial support for Mozambique. But there was a positive sign from the fund this week when it gave its approval to the national energy supplier’s move to increase prices.

SEE: IMF supports Mozambique electricity price rise

In a sign that the government has been listening to the concerns of Mozambique’s business community, its decision to end the mandatory use of the Nacala Special Exports Terminal for exporters has been warmly received.

SEE: Mozambique businesses welcome relaxation of Nacala export rules

Mozambique’s small bakers are less happy, however. They have complained that a new $50m investment into a major new plant in Matolo could threaten their businesses.

SEE: Mozambique bakers ‘under threat’ from $50m Matola bakery investment

And a group of 10 Tanzanian ‘garimpeiros’ have been expelled from Mozambique after a court in Niassa province found them guilty of illegal mining activity. One Mozambican man was also sentenced to community service.

SEE: Tanzanian ‘garimpeiros’ expelled from Mozambique  

Zitamar’s new daily Mozambique Briefing will return from its short break next Tuesday 22 August, and this newsletter will be back as usual next Friday.

See the rest of this week’s stories below - and have a great weekend.

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• Tanzanian ‘garimpeiros’ expelled from Mozambique

• Renamo leader not among 27m counted in Mozambique census

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