The Mozambique meticais, denoted by MZM, is the official currency of Mozambique. Split into 100 centavos, the MZM has been used as the Mozambique currency since 1980 and has been through extreme devaluation over the decades. This currency is the least valued currency unit ever since the revaluation of the Romanian leu on July 1st, 2005. The MZM holds this title at about 24,500 MZM per USD.
Sovereign Ratings for Mozambique
Mozambique is not rated.
What does it look like?
Political Structure
Since the 1990 constitution, Mozambique has been a multi-party democracy. The President, Prime Minister, and Council of Ministers make up the executive branch. The President is elected for five-year terms by popular vote.
The legislative branch contains the unicameral Assembly of the Republic, which is made up of 250 seats; members are directly elected for five-year terms by popular vote.
The judicial branch is composed a Supreme Court and provincial, district, and municipal courts.
Prominent Figures
Chief of State: President Armando Guebuza, since February 2, 2005
Head of Government: Prime Minister Luisa Diogo, since February 17, 2004
Governor of Bank of Mozambique: Adriano Afonso Maleiane
Key Economic Factors
Overview: Mozambique was one of the world's poorest nations when it gained independence in 1975. Throughout the 1980's the economy only got worse due to socialist mismanagement and an extreme civil war. The government decided to undergo many macroeconomic reforms in 1987 in order to alleviate the economy. These reforms in addition to donor assistance and political stability, which came with the multi-party reelections in 1994, have contributed significantly to helping the country's growth rate. Inflation was curbed reaching single digits in the late 1990s, although it went back up to double digits in 2000. There have been fiscal reforms as well, which have helped the government's revenue collection capabilities. However, even with these many reforms, Mozambique continues to need foreign help for its annual budget and a majority of the population lives underneath the poverty line.
Industries: Food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos and tobacco.
Agriculture Products: Cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers, beef and poultry.
Major Trading Partners: Belgium, Italy, Spain, Germany, South Africa and Australia.
Import Commodities: Machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs and textiles.
Export Commodities: Aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber and bulk electricity.
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