AT least R3,1bn (US$450m) is to be invested to unlock Mozambique's tourism potential.

The Mozambican government and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have launched a Mozambique Anchor Investment Programme to mobilise investment of  R1bn (US$150m) each at three key sites over the next few years and to develop related SMME and community opportunities. IFC tourism operations officer, Irene Visser, says investment will be in:
* High-end boutique eco-tourism game lodges with strong community involvement at Maputo Special Reserve and in Zambézia province (northern Mozambique). Investment will be sought from well-known regional and international companies.
* Mixed-use developments (hotels, residential and golf) catering for a range of market segments in southern Mozambique.
* Exclusive beach resorts for the well-heeled international market in northern Mozambique. Phase one during the past six months, involved site selection, designing a detailed implementation programme and an investor survey. Phase two over the next two years, will involve the development of master plans, environmental and social development plans and marketing the investment opportunities. Phase three, in year three, will involve developing SMME supply chains in partnership with the investors, developing community opportunities and building local capacity. Visser says the aim is to provide quality anchor investment projects that will:
* become the catalyst for other infrastructure investments in Mozambique.
* create employment and economic benefits in rural areas through SMME spin-offs
* provide a sustainable business model that can be replicated
* improve the investment climate and give Mozambique a stronger tourism investment image. She says Mozambique has all the ingredients to be one of Africa's top tourism destinations, with 2 700 km of tropical coastline, 15% of the country declared Protected Areas and an intriguing culture. However, despite high interest from tourists and investors, to date there has been little quality investment in the country because prospective investors perceive investment procedures and access to land as too difficult. As a result, tourism to date has not delivered on its expectations in terms of job creation, community opportunities and economic impact.