Structured processing, quality control, and formal markets for coastal fishing communities
Mocímboa da Praia Fish Processing Unit
Why this matters
Cabo Delgado has one of Mozambique’s most active coastlines. The country’s 2,700 km of coast support one of Africa’s largest artisanal fishing sectors, with an estimated 350,000 artisanal fishers nationally. Districts such as Palma, Mocímboa da Praia, and Quissanga stand out for their abundant marine resources and proximity to regional markets. Yet the sector is constrained by post-harvest infrastructure gaps: limited storage and processing capacity and the absence of cold-chain systems restrict product quality and access to higher-value markets.
Sources: FAO — National Fisheries and Aquaculture Profile: Mozambique; World Bank Mozambique Fisheries Sector Review; Government of Mozambique — Blue Economy Strategy; MIMAIP.
The project
The fish processing unit in Mocímboa da Praia was built with financing from the Mozambique LNG Project and inaugurated by the President of the Republic, Daniel Chapo, on 29 January 2026. It features cold-chain technology and certified quality standards, with installed capacity to process 90 tons of fish per month. The Mozambique LNG Foundation supports the operation of the unit, enabling quality control, and formal commercialization of fish products, and opening the way to national and regional markets.
Results and targets
- Fish processing unit operational in Mocímboa da Praia, inaugurated 29 January 2026.
- Processing capacity of 90 tons per month.
- 2,800 fishers directly benefiting, and more than 12,000 people in coastal communities.
- More than 70 local jobs created in processing and logistics, with opportunities for women.