Mozambique: Natural-Resource Extraction in Mozambique - Citizens Are Deeply Dissatisfied With Community Participation

What the report says

A new Afrobarometer report, distributed by AllAfrica, says many Mozambicans remain dissatisfied with how the government handles the country’s natural resources. The survey, published on 2 September 2026, focuses on perceptions of mining, gas, forestry and other extractive industries in a country that relies heavily on these sectors for economic activity.

According to the findings, 56% of respondents are unhappy with government performance on natural resources. Criticism is especially strong among urban residents, people with more education and men. The report also says citizens are skeptical about who benefits most: foreign investors and the government are seen as the main winners, while only a small share believe ordinary people gain the most.

Community involvement is another major concern. The report says 74% of respondents are dissatisfied with local communities’ participation in extraction projects, and 72% say there is little information about how natural-resource money is spent. Afrobarometer links these views to broader worries about transparency, accountability and whether benefits are shared fairly.

The report adds that many who judge the government’s handling of resources negatively also say the country is headed in the wrong direction. In general, the findings suggest continued public distrust over whether Mozambique’s resource wealth is reaching communities beyond political and business elites.