Maputo, Oct. 23, 2025 (Lusa) - A study by the Mozambican NGO Centre for Public Integrity (CIP) concluded that the country's extractive industry "operates in a state of opacity that undermines public trust", which "prevents the wealth of the subsoil from translating into progress for the people".
In the 5th edition of the Extractive Sector Transparency Index (ITSE), released by the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), which analysed 12 companies in the hydrocarbons sector and 20 in the mining sector, it is stated that the same "remains chronic and resistant to accountability", considering "that the situation undermines public trust and progress for the people".
'Five years after the start of our monitoring, the sector that holds the most promise for Mozambique's future remains chronically opaque and resistant to accountability,' reads the study, which concludes with an overall average score of just 17.98%.
"The industry is deeply divided. At the top, a small elite group - led by Kenmare Resources (88.14%) [titanium], Sasol (73.68%) [natural gas] and MRM (73.24%) [rubies] - proves that transparency is possible and achievable. On the other side, below, an abyss: 18 of the 32 companies evaluated (56%) obtained a score of 0.00%, operating in a state of absolute secrecy," it adds.
According to the CIP study, "transparency in the sector is selective and unbalanced", with companies "more willing to talk about their social and environmental initiatives", but "continuing to hide what is essential".
"How much they pay in taxes, what contracts they sign and who their real owners are (hard transparency). The tax component (13.18%) is the most opaque, which is an alarming sign for a country dependent on this revenue," he points out, noting that the "most critical conclusion is revealed by the failure of public companies" in the sector.
As an example, it says that the National Hydrocarbons Company (ENH), the "arm of the state" in this sector, "obtained a score of 0.00%", a performance that "represents an abdication of its responsibility to be the standard of excellence in accountability".
The average ITSE score was 17.05% in 2024, 20.69% in 2023, 24.83% in 2021 and 29% in 2020.
"There is a deep gap between formal transparency and public perception. The average citizen confuses brand visibility with transparency, considering consumer goods companies (with 0% in the index) to be the most transparent. At the same time, formally transparent companies like MRM are perceived as opaque on the ground. This proves that publishing reports isn't enough. You have to live transparency in daily interaction with communities," emphasises CIP.
The study argues that "transparency can no longer be an option" and as a "key recommendation" states that the Mozambican government "must move from complacency to active oversight, applying the law and creating a single, mandatory Transparency Portal for the publication of information of public interest".
As for companies, CIP says, the "requirement is simple" and involves adopting "total transparency as a pillar" of the licence to operate, "abandoning selective opacity and information black holes".
PVJ/ADB // ADB.
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