The Mozambican Minister of Transport and Communications, Carlos Mesquita, said in Johannesburg this week that the country needs $11.6 billion in 2016 for the construction of roads, bridges, railways, and airports.

Mesquita called on businesspeople to invest in the development of transport and communications infrastructure in Mozambique.

The minister, who was speaking at a seminar sponsored by the Mozambican embassy in South Africa, acknowledged that Mozambique faces enormous challenges due to a lack of infrastructure in the transport and communications sector but considered these challenges as “opportunities for investors.”

The Mozambique government official said that “the prevailing political tension in the country has its days numbered”, but acknowledged that it had a negative impact.

In the next few days, Mozambique and South Africa are due to sign a memorandum of understanding for the transport and communications sector.