Mitus in Mozambique

Mauritius-based, British American Investment Co. (Mtius) Ltd, is contemplating to use several thousand hectares of land in Mozambique for one of the largest food security and renewable energy exercises of its kind undertaken by a local company.

With soaring costs and dependency on fossil fuels and looming food security concerns, the business group estimates that large-scale production of food crops and green energy initiatives could result in significant savings every year.

This project could be highly beneficial to Mauritius – it will help securing a long term production and supply of some food crops and contribute to a long term green development and lessen dependency on fossil fuels through the production of biodiesel.

The project follows the call to international investors by the Regional Development Company of Mozambique (RDC) for proposals to manage and develop land in the country. The call was responded to by a consortium consisting of British American Investment and Sun Biofuels Ltd.

Sun Biofuels Ltd (SBF) is a UK-based company operating in Mozambique and Tanzania. It is backed by Trading Emissions Plc, a carbon investment company listed on The London Stock Exchange. 

Since then, representatives of BA Investment/Sun Biofuels have met with local authorities of Mozambique during which two locations were earmarked – 4,000 hectares in Manica and 2,000 hectares in Dombe.

The consortium is now looking into the next phase of the project – the consultative process leading to the finalisation and signature of the lease agreement. 
Once completed, engineers and agronomists of the BA Investment/Sun Biofuels consortium will start the feasibility study. This will include soil survey and land capability assessment, GIS/Satellite mapping, irrigation plan and business model components.