4th South Africa-Mozambique Bi-National Commission: Minister De Lille Advances Tourism Agenda
South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, joined President Cyril Ramaphosa and the South African delegation at the 4th South Africa-Mozambique Bi-National Commission (BNC) taking place in Mozambique’s capital city of Maputo. According to a press statement signed by her spokesperson, Aldrin Sampear, dated 5 December 2025, Minister De Lille reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to deepening tourism cooperation with Mozambique.
“This year marks 30 years since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism between former Presidents Nelson Mandela and Joaquim Chissano in 1995 – a landmark agreement that laid the foundation for strong economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties between the two countries,” said Minister De Lille.
Tourism continues to be a powerful pillar of bilateral cooperation. Between January and October 2025, South Africa welcomed 1.69 million Mozambican visitors, an increase of 28.3% compared to the same period last year. Mozambican travellers have contributed R4.2 billion to South Africa’s economy so far this year, with spending expected to rise to R5.7 billion by the end of 2025. South Africans also remain among Mozambique’s most loyal holidaymakers, contributing to the country’s tourism economy through regular leisure travel.
In addition, South African companies invest significantly in Mozambique’s tourism sector. A notable example is the USD $102 million (R1.7 billion) investment by South African tourism and conservation group Singita in the Bazaruto Archipelago. This includes a USD $60 million luxury lodge on Santa Carolina (Paradise Island) and a USD $42 million development on a second island – a major public-private partnership with INATUR under a 25-year concession agreement.
Ahead of the BNC, Minister de Lille held a virtual meeting on 25 November 2025 with Mozambique’s Minister of Economy, Basílio Muhate. The ministers agreed on a new 2026–2030 Tourism Implementation Plan, which was duly signed during the BNC. The Plan outlines several joint priorities:
- Improving ease of access between the two countries
- Coordinated destination marketing and cross-promotion
- Tourist safety and security
- Tourism product development
- Job creation and skills development
- Support for youth entrepreneurship, SMMEs, and local content across the tourism value chain.
“Tourism safety, simplified travel processes, and enhanced connectivity remain critical to unlocking regional travel and boosting sustainable growth,” emphasised Minister De Lille.
The Minister also highlighted the role of private investment and effective public–private partnerships in advancing infrastructure and transforming the tourism sector. She noted South Africa’s successful Tourism Investment Summit held on 10 September 2025, where eight infrastructure projects ready for investment were presented. South Africa will host the next Investment Summit and has extended an invitation to Mozambique to participate and showcase its investment-ready projects.
South Africa and Mozambique agreed to several steps to strengthen bilateral cooperation in 2026, including:
- Establishing the Joint Tourism Technical Committee (JTTC) and finalising its membership by January 2026
- Developing Terms of Reference for the JTTC’s operations
- Promoting mutual participation in major tourism trade platforms, such as:
- Meetings Africa (February 2026)
- Africa’s Travel Indaba (May 2026)
- Mozambique’s tourism and trade fairs in 2026
- Jointly launching the 2026 Holiday Season Campaign during Tourism Month, focusing on promoting domestic and regional travel.
Minister De Lille reaffirmed South Africa’s unwavering commitment to building a strong, mutually beneficial tourism partnership with Mozambique. “Tourism continues to unite our nations, enrich our economies, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges. Working together, we can unlock new opportunities for youth, SMMEs, and communities across both countries,” the Minister concluded.
