From 13 to 15 May, the Strategic Stakeholders Forum took place on Inhaca Island. The Forum represented a strategic milestone for the development of sustainable tourism on the island and, over the course of three days, brought together local authorities, researchers, tourism operators, traditional leaders and community representatives to design a guiding document aimed at protecting ecosystems and promoting the inclusive economic development of local communities.
The meeting therefore marked a starting point for the development of a common strategy for Sustainable Tourism on Inhaca Island. The initiative was carried out within the framework of the Mangrowth programme, funded by the Italian Cooperation, and organised by the NGO ICEI – Istituto Cooperazione Economica Internazionale.
The first day of the Strategic Stakeholders Forum was attended by His Excellency Vicente Joaquim Imedede, Secretary of State, as well as by the Deputy Director and Acting Regent, Maria Cristina Pescante, among other distinguished guests.
During her speech, Maria Cristina Pescante underlined that “both past and current projects promoted by AICS in the environmental sector have consistently proven relevant in ensuring biodiversity conservation, addressing the negative impacts caused by climate change, and promoting sustainable socio-economic development in the country.”
For his part, His Excellency Vicente Joaquim Imedede highlighted that “Inhaca Island is a jewel of biodiversity and sustainable tourism, with great potential in ecotourism, fisheries and conservation. It stands out for its paradise beaches, coral reefs, mangroves and scientific research, making it a privileged destination for experiencing untouched nature,” further stressing that “the island is recognised as the lung of the City of Maputo.”
During his intervention, he also noted that the new jetty, inaugurated on 6 March 2026, has significantly improved accessibility to Inhaca Island, eliminating dependence on tides for embarkation and disembarkation. He added that this infrastructure “will bring more tourists”, therefore highlighting the importance of involving local communities in the sustainable tourism development process.
The starting point for the development of this strategy began with a study visit carried out in October 2025 by a Mozambican delegation to the Tuscan Archipelago National Park in Italy. The visit aimed to learn about and analyse international best practices, establish parallels with destinations sharing similar environmental and socio-economic characteristics, strengthen participatory planning and promote the development of a regenerative tourism model. It was from this experience that the idea of developing a common strategy for Sustainable Tourism on Inhaca Island emerged.
On the first day of the Forum, there was also virtual participation by Marino Garfagnoli, Director of the Infopark at the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, who addressed the role of the private sector in the conservation of the Park, considered one of the largest marine protected areas in Europe, highlighting examples of cooperation between institutions, communities and tourism operators in promoting sustainable and responsible tourism.
The next steps will consist of a series of technical and institutional support sessions involving the Secretariat of State of Maputo City and its technical bodies, with the aim of defining an implementation agenda for the strategy outlined during the Forum.