The Centre for Public Integrity (CIP) reveals that the roads used by extractive industry companies in Mozambique are in complete disrepair and criticizes the government's poor investment in infrastructure.

"During visits to Africa Great Wall Maning Company, HAMC-Highland African Mining Company, Lda, Kenmare, Jidal Steel and Montepuez Ruby Mining, it was found that the access roads to these companies, which also serve as a means of carrying out their activities, are completely damaged," reads a CIP article.

The NGO points to the intensity of these companies' activities, carried out "with high-tonnage trucks" - which make it difficult to access the state's team camps for inspection and tax collection - and the lack of government intervention to ensure the roads are in good condition.

The CIP says that these roads existed before the extractive companies and are therefore in common use by the communities that need them for their socio-economic development. However, "some of the large companies in the sector build infrastructure to facilitate their [own] logistics. However, the use of these facilities is restricted to them and does not create links between the company and the local economy, which could contribute to integrated development in the communities that host these projects."

Among the companies that prohibit communities from using the roads are Kenmare, in Nampula, and the Africa Great Wall Maning Company, in Zambezia.

The CIP criticizes the government's weak investment in access roads, which, if done, could boost national economic development. Over the last fourteen years, Mozambique has invested around 348 billion meticais in various types of infrastructure. This figure represents an average annual investment of 24 billion meticais, which corresponds to an average of 5% of annual GDP, writes CIP.

"Looking at Mozambique's spending over the period 2010-2023, it can be seen that, in general terms, the country has invested far below the standards indicated by the World Bank study. In the period indicated, the country invested an average of 5% of GDP in infrastructure, i.e. 25% less than recommended," it reads.