Maputo, July 21, 2026 (Lusa) - Mozambique's government approved two decrees on Tuesday reforming the railway and civil aviation sectors in Mozambique, with the aim of bringing legislation into line with market dynamics, strengthening connectivity and boosting economic growth.
Speaking at the end of the 21st ordinary session of the cabinet, held in Maputo, the cabinet's spokesperson, Salim Valá, announced the approval of the decree setting out the rules governing access to the railway sector and repealing legislation in force since 1966, dating back to the colonial period.
«The regulation aims to establish the legal framework defining the conditions and requirements for access to and the operation of railway services, in line with the challenges posed by the dynamics and circumstances of the liberalised market,» he said.
According to the minister, the measure is intended to update the legal framework of the national railway sector, which is considered out of step with current economic and operational realities.
Mozambique's minister of transport and logistics announced in June that the country's railway network would be opened up to new private operators to improve productivity and curb the persistent inefficiency associated with the state-owned company CFM's monopoly.
«Our approach to logistics is clear: logistics cannot be managed under a monopoly. We have consulted widely and will open up access to the railway network to different stakeholders,» declared João Matlombe.
At the same cabinet meeting, the government also approved a decree restructuring the classification of national airports and aligning the management of Mozambican airspace with the principles of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, thereby repealing the 2022 legislation.
According to the spokesperson, the revision of the legislation aims to modernise the civil aviation sector and create the conditions to improve communication, information exchange and access to airport services.
«The decree aims to boost communication, the exchange of information, access to services, innovation and economic growth, which could lead to an increase in passenger numbers, contributing to improved connectivity between regions and a consequent rise in competitiveness and productivity,» explained Valá.
The cabinet also considered and approved the draft law establishing the legal regime for civil forfeiture, to be submitted to parliament. According to the government, the initiative aims to create a legal framework for the forfeiture of assets linked to the commission of unlawful acts, including those used in their commission, those derived from such activities, or those constituting direct or indirect economic benefits.
A decree revising the legal framework governing the provision of private education was also approved, repealing the 1999 legislation. According to the government, the legislation redefines the rules applicable to private institutions forming part of the National Education System, covering pre-school education, general and adult education, vocational education, as well as schools following a foreign curriculum and those teaching national and foreign languages.
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