Maputo, Oct. 6, 2026 (Lusa) - Projects within the new Special Zone for Golf Tourism in Inhambane, Mozambique, will benefit from tax incentives, access to reserved land, priority repatriation of dividends and a fund to finance infrastructure, training and events.
The new framework, established by Decree No. 56/2026, regulates the Special Zone for Golf Tourism (ZETG) in Inhambane province, previously announced by the Mozambican Government as a strategic initiative to attract international investment and develop a high value-added tourism sector.
The decree formally establishes the ZETG as a territorial area geared towards the «integrated development of the golf tourism industry and related economic activities», entrusting its management to the state-owned National Agency for the Integrated Development of Tourism (Anditur), in conjunction with the Inhambane Provincial Executive Council and the Government.
The zone covers the regions of Vilankulo, Inhassoro, Massinga, Jangamo, Zavala and Govuro, whilst leaving open the possibility of expansion into other regions, to be identified.
The aim, according to the decree, is to transform Inhambane into a «platform of international excellence in the field of golf tourism, high-standard hospitality, sophisticated leisure and specialised tourism investment», whilst simultaneously consolidating the province as Mozambique's «Capital and National Hub for Tourism».
One of the key new developments is the creation of the Golf Tourism Development Fund (FDTG), an account included in the Public Treasury intended to finance golf infrastructure, technical training, national and international events, community programmes aimed at young people, and initiatives linked to environmental sustainability and local content.
The fund's mission will be to «mobilise, raise, manage and allocate financial resources intended for the promotion of investment, infrastructure development, training, technical capacity-building, international promotion, environmental sustainability, tourism, territorial enhancement and other strategic initiatives linked to the golf tourism ecosystem».
Another new development is the establishment of a specific incentive scheme for domestic and foreign investors, with approved projects benefiting from access to «land reserved and dedicated to development projects», incentives provided for under private investment legislation, as well as «fiscal and non-fiscal» guarantees and incentives.
Investors will also be entitled to the «priority dividend repatriation scheme», a mechanism designed to enhance the attractiveness of major international tourism investments.
The decree also sets out the remit of Anditur, which will issue binding opinions on investment proposals and the licensing of activities in the zone, promote the region's image and potential, facilitate licensing procedures, support investors and seek financing solutions for approved projects.
The decree provides for a wide range of eligible activities, including the construction of golf courses, sports academies and training centres; the commercial operation of golf-related infrastructure; tourism and residential developments that feature golf; conference centres; recreational facilities; marinas; nautical facilities; the organisation of international tournaments; and sports tourism programmes.
When it announced its intention to create the special zone on 4 August, the Government described the initiative as a «far-reaching strategic decision», aimed at positioning Mozambique within one of the most promising global value chains linked to high-yield tourism, the blue economy and the attraction of international investment.
In July, the governor of Inhambane, Francisco Pagula, told Lusa that the province plans to begin construction of its first golf course this year, with a private investment of $5 million (€4.3 million), whilst a second project is currently under negotiation, forming part of the strategy to transform the province into a regional leader in the sport.
PVJ/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
