Mozambique

This report summarizes the key themes and findings from three in-depth case studies of EET programs in Ghana, Kenya, and Mozambique. Each case study produced rich information... Show More + on the programs’ context, the landscape of programs in each country, and the qualitative insights from local EET stakeholders. This report synthesizes information from across the case studies to analyze the extent to which these countries’ programs are meeting the needs of local entrepreneurs. It also introduces findings from global EET research to show how programs in the case-study countries relate to what is known about global practice in EET. From this synthesis, the report presents a set of key findings intended to illuminate how EET programs can be better aligned with local needs and promising EET practices globally. Show Less -

The key messages in this brief are as follows: 1) Mozambique has prioritized the development of higher education with a focus on science and technologyl; 2) Building... Show More + a higher education system from scratch requires longterm external technical and financial support and government commitment; 3) Strong policies and visible progress have attracted international funding; 4) Further efforts are needed to expand science and technology programs; and 5) The momentum must be maintained so students are prepared for jobs in Mozambique’s emerging economy. Show Less -

This policy note aims to contribute to a national debate on the management of natural resource revenues. This policy note, part of a broader analytical program that... Show More + seeks to inform macroeconomic and fiscal policy making in Mozambique to maximize the benefits from natural resource extraction, presents a series of recommendations on managing natural resource revenues. It assumes that the Government of Mozambique will chose to frontload public investments and spend a large share of the revenue from natural resources to meet the country's vast development needs. The policy note is divided in three sections. Section one discusses some of the challenges involved in responsibly managing resource revenues and key factors to consider in developing the fiscal policy framework. Section two presents a simulation exercise to illustrate how a fiscal policy framework that frontloads public spending can be implemented in Mozambique. Section three concludes the discussion and summarizes recommendations for enhancing fiscal and resource management in Mozambique. Show Less -

The objective of this policy note is to inform policy discussions around the management of natural resources and reforms needed to translate natural capital into other... Show More + forms of capital, and it does so by using the wealth accounting framework. Wealth (e.g. in the form of natural resources) may or may not translate into sustained flows of income in the long run. The extent to which natural capital translates into other forms of capital from which to derive a sustainable income stream is what lies at the heart of natural resources management and what differentiates successful natural resource rich countries from less successful ones. The outcome of the process depends on institutional capacity and political decisions along the way. Experience shows that the quality of governance and institutional capability are a key for countries to be able to translate natural capital into other forms of capital in an effective way. According to a variety of governance indicators, Mozambique's institutions are relatively weak, raising concerns about the country's ability to manage natural resources well. But Mozambique can also build on significant progress in some areas. Democratic elections, free press and a vocal civil society suggest of a gradual strengthening of institutions. Although the main audience of this policy note is Mozambican policy makers - the discussion around management of natural resources needs to be much broader, and as such civil society, private sector and the international community may also find the note useful. Show Less -

The discovery of large natural resource reserves in Mozambique has raised expectations of increased economic growth, improved public services and poverty reduction.... Show More + However, the majority of the population has benefited little from growth in recent years, and may be skeptical that the potential for increased government revenues will translate into improved services. The development potential of future natural resource revenues will partially depend on stronger PFM systems, as well as political commitment to broad based social and economic development. A gap between political rhetoric and improvements in the everyday lives of the population may fuel potential for social unrest. Similarly, changing development partner circumstances (both funding constraints and changing modalities) and perceptions of Mozambique’s development trajectory may lead to a drop in the levels of assistance, in advance of actual increases in revenue (it is still some years before natural resources will reach market). The Government needs to respond to both popular expectations and a changing partner environment. This creates a window of opportunity to increase government focus on the effective management of public resources and improved service delivery. Show Less -

This regional profile presents the Doing Business indicators for economies in Southern African Development Community (SADC). It also shows the regional average, the... Show More + best performance globally for each indicator and data for the following comparator regions: East Asia and the Pacific, Economic Community of West African States, European Union, Middle East and North Africa, and Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa. The data in this report are current as of June 1, 2013, except for the paying taxes indicators, which cover the period January to December 2012. Regional Doing Business reports capture differences in business regulations and their enforcement across countries in a single region. They provide data on the ease of doing business, rank each location, and recommend reforms to improve performance in each of the indicator areas. The report sheds light on how easy or difficult it is for a local entrepreneur to open and run a small to medium-size business when complying with relevant regulations. It measures and tracks changes in regulations affecting 11 areas in the life cycle of a business: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts, resolving insolvency and employing workers. Doing Business presents quantitative indicators on business regulations and the protection of property rights that can be compared across 189 economies, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, over time. The data set covers 47 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, 33 in Latin America and the Caribbean, 25 in East Asia and the Pacific, 25 in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, 20 in the Middle East and North Africa and 8 in South Asia, as well as 31 OECD high-income economies. The indicators are used to analyze economic outcomes and identify what reforms have worked, where and why. Show Less -

This brief summarizes the results of a gender impact evaluation study, entitled The promise of preschool in Africa : a randomized impact evaluation of early childhood... Show More + development in rural Mozambique, conducted during the time period early 2008 to 2010 in Mozambique. The study observed that primary school enrollments increased significantly by 24 percent in treatment communities. Beneficiary children spend a significantly greater amount of time on schooling and homework activities (7.2 hours) and a significantly less amount of time on family farm activities. There are consistent significant improvements in cognitive and problem-solving abilities, fine-motor skills and socio-emotional and behavioral outcomes. The program also has a positive externality on other household members by increasing schooling and increasing the propensity to work of adults in the household. Finally, the program leads caregivers to adopt more appropriate punishment and increase the practice of daily routine. Funding for the study derived from Spanish Impact Evaluation Fund. Show Less -

Mozambique's economy grew at 4.8 percent p.a. in the first quarter of 2013. In the first quarter of 2013, growth in Gross domestic product (GDP) was lower than in previous... Show More + years at 4.8percent p.a. A deceleration in growth was expected due to the extensive flooding of the Limpopo Valley in January. Agriculture, which constitutes around 23 percent of GDP, registered a negative growth rate of 2.6 percent compared to the first quarter of 2012. Also the manufacturing sector contracted at a rate of 4.2 percent p.a. real GDP growth rate. The largest positive contribution to growth is found in transports and communications, which grew 23 percent and contributed with 2.4 percentage points to the total growth in GDP. Extractive Industries, which is the fastest growing sector, contributed 0.5 percentage points to the growth in GDP. Show Less -

This Mozambique economic update highlights the following issues: Mozambique's economy grew at 8.2 percent p.a. in the final quarter of 2012. Overall, at 7.4 percent,... Show More + growth in 2012 matched the government target; year-on-year inflation rose to 4.3 percent in March, compared to 2.2 percent at end-2012; the 2012 budgetary balance shows low realization of external resources and growing revenues from mega projects in energy and mining; and damages and losses of the January 2013 Limpopo floods are estimated in excess of USD 250 million, nearly half of this is attributable to the road network and another 30 percent in the agricultural sector. Show Less -

Mozambique is experiencing its worst flooding since 2000, primarily in the Limpopo river basin. More than 50,000 people are reported to be affected. The Government has... Show More + deployed military units and additional resources to rescue and assist populations at risk. The main affected sectors include transport, housing, shelter and health for displaced people. This situation report focuses on Mozambique, providing an overview of the situation, and likely response from the Government, donors and the World Bank. A brief overview of the situation in other South African countries is also included. Show Less -