Mozambique has a total of 45 coastal districts (Figure 2). The current population of Mozambique is 20.5 million. Of the total population, almost 70% live in the costal districts. The districts with large populations are Maputo City, Massinga, Nampula, Nacala-a-Velha, Alto Molocué, Milange Morrumbala, Mocuba, Maganja da Costa, Ile and Angónia. 



Zambezia has a smallest number with a total of two sites. In the Southern coast region, there are 34 sites with Maputo having the highest number (18) and Gaza having 4 sites (Figure 5). The coastal area of Mozambique has four main religions: Catholic, Protestant, Zion and Islam. Islam is practised by a large number of Mozambican people. This is followed by Protestant and Catholic denominations of the Christian faith religion.

In Cabo Delgado province, religion is considered very important and it determines educational and cultural habits. Mozambique has six linguistic groups that are divided by regions: North, Central and South. In each of the regions, there is a dominant language group. For instance, in the northern districts the dominant language group is Emakhuwa while in the central region, Cisena and Echuabo dominate. In the south, Xichangane is dominant .


Mozambique  has three international airports namely Maputo, Beira and Nampula (Figure 7). There are also four airstrips located in Pemba, Quelimane, Vilanculos and Maputo. Most of these are located within the coastal zone. Secondary airstrips are located in Matutuine, Bilene and Mocimboa da Praia. There are also two separate railway networks connecting Maputo and Beira with the hinterlands. 

The main ports are Maputo, Beira, Nacala and Pemba. Most of the health facilities are concentrated within the coastal region, with Maputo having a total of 20, Angoche with 16, and Mandlakazi with 15 health facilities.  Mozambique has two mobile phone operators, namely Mcel and Vodacom. The Mcel network coverage is more than 70% in the coastal districts.


The fisheries and aquaculture sector contributed 1.6% of the GDP in 2009. The small-scale fishery in Mozambique is mainly comprised of artisanal fishery. The semi-industrial fishing fishery employed over 351,700 people in 2007 of which 2% were women. It also accounts for 93% of the country’s total marine fish catch, 91% of which is caught by the subsistence and artisanal fishers and 2% by the semi-industrial fishing sub-sector. Income levels in the small-scale fisheries are largely dependent on position within the sector, whereby, three broad positions are classified: Boat and gear owners, crew and fishers. Income in the sector is also dependent on region and subsequently distances to markets. 


Many structural constraints are apparent in the sector. For example, weak infrastructure has negatively affected processing, trade and the commercialization of the small-scale fishery’s products. Similarly, inadequate fisheries administration capacity at the national and local levels has reduced surveillance, regulation and data collection in the sector. High levels of poverty and lack of employment alternatives have placed pressure on coastal resources, subsequently resulting in environmental degradation.

For example, the potential for aquaculture can help in stimulating alternative income streams and hence reduce the risk of over-exploitation. The international demand for marine fish products should also provide an incentive to further develop the sector. Likewise, strategies for credit concession, along with the availability of new technologies, should expand the sector’s overall competitiveness.

It is also promising to note the commitment for the decentralization and co-management being displayed by the government. For example, in the artisanal fishery, the issuing and charging of licenses, as well as enforcement of fisheries regulations as well as the collection of fines are now starting to be managed by district administrators. Likewise, co-management committees have integrated local chiefs from fishing villages into the administrative process as a means of sustaining traditional management techniques. Nevertheless, despite the fact that the actual rate of law enforcement is no more than 50% in the entire sector and less than around 15% in rural areas, 75% of the entire fisheries sector administration is still under the responsibility of the Ministry of Fisheries and fisheries provincial directorates.


Tourism contributed 3.2% to GDP in 2003, employing 356,000 people. With nearly 76.8% of total tourist expenditure coming from Africa-based residents, South Africa and the SADC region represent the largest tourist biggest source markets, making up an estimated 51% of total arrivals. On average, tourists spend five nights in the country, spending an estimated USD 45 per day. Nevertheless, despite the sector’s growing importance in the Mozambican economy, little empirical data and information is currently available. Several constraints have been identified in the tourism sector which could slow down the growth in the future. For example, revenue leakages, which are common in many African tourism markets, have become highly constrictive to local development, as majority of goods and services purchased in the sector are outsourced.