Inocêncio Impissa, the government spokesperson, announced that a memorandum of understanding was signed between The Firm of Strategic Investments and the Mozambican Investment and Export Promotion Agency (APIEX) to implement the Pearls of Mozambique project in Vilanculos, considered the country’s tourism capital, located in Inhambane province.
The project involves an integrated tourist resort that includes a marina and an international-class ecological reserve, with an initial investment of around 150 million dollars. It is expected to create 600 direct jobs for national citizens, Impissa stated at a weekly press briefing.
The memorandum was signed in Inhambane during an international tourism conference on November 3-4. Impissa emphasized that the event announced total investments of 252 million dollars (218.5 million euros) for Inhambane province, slated to occur over five years with investor’s own capital.
“This will significantly contribute to the increase in luxury tourism offerings, creation of direct and indirect employment opportunities, and investment in local content,” the government spokesperson further noted.
The second project mentioned involves a South African initiative by Singita, planning to invest 102 million dollars (87.7 million euros) in a luxury tourism project with 60 beds on Santa Carolina Island, also in Inhambane.
The Singita group intends to invest 102 million dollars in developing this tourism project on Santa Carolina Island through a public-private partnership with the National Institute of Tourism (Inatur), which holds the concession for the island’s tourism development, the group’s representative said earlier.
Richard Baulene stated that the State would not provide any investment funds for the island, participating only by granting a 25-year concession for the development.
The proposal from Singita aims to invest 60 million dollars (51.6 million euros) in developing a facility with 60 beds on the island, plus an additional 42 million dollars (36 million euros) in projects within the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, a nearby natural area.
The investment will come from investors’ capital over five years, contributing to a luxury tourism capacity increase in the province with 145 beds and creating 240 direct and 260 indirect jobs, according to the document.
The proposal is described as well-aligned for high-income ecological and sustainable tourism projects. It integrates the surrounding region, enhancing existing natural elements and planning for coral reef restoration, mangrove, and estuarine environmental programs.
Additionally, Singita plans to establish a Marine Research Center in Vilankulos, enabling financing for community initiatives on conservation, marine monitoring, education, and awareness, along with investment projects designed to create local jobs and encourage other tourism-related activities by local communities.
