Doing Business in Mozambique
Once the company exists, the work becomes recurring: filing on time, hiring correctly, keeping licences valid and maintaining a corporate record that banks and clients can rely on.
Tax compliance is the first discipline. Active companies carry periodic filing duties even in months without revenue, and penalties accumulate quietly when deadlines pass unnoticed.
Employment is the second. Written contracts, social security enrolment and compliant payroll are checked in inspections, and informal arrangements are the most frequent source of costly disputes.
The third is corporate upkeep: current certificates, coherent registry data and compliant invoicing. These determine access to credit, to public tenders and to contracts with large corporates.
Content prepared by the Empresas.co.mz legal team in Maputo.
First-year fundamentals
Tax obligations
Periodic declarations and payments within statutory deadlines.
People and social security
Written contracts and enrolment of every employee.
Licence renewals
Validity tracked and renewals filed before expiry.
Corporate records
Registry data kept aligned with how the company actually operates.
Continue by objective
Guided paths organised by what you are trying to do, not by keyword.
I want to start
Choose a legal form and incorporate.
I want to register and license
Registry filings, tax number and activity licences.
I want to invest
Structure foreign capital and build a local base.
I want to grow
Corporate changes, trademarks and business services.
Frequently asked questions
What obligations apply to a company with no revenue?
Periodic declarations remain due. No turnover does not suspend filing duties or deadlines.
Can we hire without social security enrolment?
No. Enrolling employees is mandatory and is verified during inspections.
What do banks ask corporate clients for?
Typically a recent registry certificate, the tax number, published articles and identification of representatives.
Do you provide ongoing support?
Yes — corporate changes, licensing, certificates and business services throughout the company's life.
Related services
- Company Registration in MozambiqueRegister your Lda, Unipessoal, sole trader or S.A. in Mozambique online. Name reservation, deed, NUIT and licences handled by our legal team.
- Corporate AmendmentsChange shareholders, share capital, company name, activity or registered office in Mozambique with full legal support.
- Trademark Registration at IPIProtect your brand name and logo with trademark registration at IPI Mozambique, from search to certificate.
Related guides
- Declaration of Commencement of Activity at the Tax AuthorityWhen and how to file the declaration of commencement of activity, VAT regimes and the tax obligations that start from that date.
- INSS Registration and Employee EnrolmentHow to register your company and staff with INSS in Mozambique, monthly contributions and related labour obligations.
- Opening a Corporate Bank Account in MozambiqueDocuments required by Mozambican banks, KYC requirements and how to speed up opening your company account.
- How Much It Costs to Open a Company in MozambiqueCost structure of company registration in Mozambique: official fees, publication, licensing and professional fees — no surprises.
Starting, registering, investing and doing business in Mozambique
Paths organised by objective. Pick where you are and continue to the next resource.
Start your request online
Submit the request, pay online and track every stage in the client portal. Our legal team handles the rest.