Maputo, in the district of Moamba, has had the largest brick and tile factory in the whole of Africa since yesterday. The inauguration took place yesterday by the President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi.

With the start-up of the Safira Mozambique factory, the country will save around 13 million dollars that used to be spent annually on importing tiles, said the Minister of Industry and Trade, Silvino Moreno.

The company, which is also a pioneer in the Mozambican market, specifically in this line of business, has invested around 140 million US dollars, making it the largest unit of its kind in Africa.

Speaking on the occasion, Filipe Nyusi said that the venture represents a starting point for diversifying the economy and exports, replacing imports and stimulating job creation and income for young people, particularly women in rural areas.

For the Head of State, industrial autonomy brings benefits, which translate, on the one hand, into a reduction in costs and, on the other, a substantial drop in the need to buy foreign currency for imports.

The factory was built on an area of 3,000 hectares and has a daily production capacity of 1,000 square meters. It will employ 1,200 Mozambican workers and an additional 100 foreigners. (Photo: DR)