Regional development

The Mozambique LNG Project has the potential to boost local and regional development, which implies rapid changes in the Palma District and Cabo Delgado Province. One of the main factors of change is associated with the influx of immigrants into the project’s area of influence – a phenomenon known as Project-Induced Immigration (PIIM).

Areas of project-induced immigration growth

Immigrants are expected to concentrate in certain areas, selected based on criteria such as road access, proximity to the project and availability of basic infrastructure. Together with our project partners, we have identified Palma Sede as the main growth area in the district . The city of Palma is seen as a growth area based on its relatively developed infrastructure, services and public utilities compared to the rural areas of the Afungi Peninsula.

Development along the R762 motorway and the Manguna-Afungi road serve as potential ‘growth corridors’, promoting settlements, commercial activity, and light industry. On the Afungi Peninsula, Vila de Quitunda and Aldeia de Senga are identified as likely areas for growth in Project-Induced Immigration in the medium and long term, with immigration to the Afungi Peninsula depending more on family and personal ties.

We understand that effective management of Project-Induced Immigration requires an understanding of the dynamics and possible impacts of this phenomenon. In this way, we developed a Project-Induced Immigration Management Plan, using the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Manual to address Project-Induced Immigration (2009).

Project-induced immigration management plan

Our Project-Induced Immigration Management Plan applies to the construction phase.

The Plan distinguishes areas inside and outside the project’s coverage area, also known as the project’s DUAT, and addresses the population potentially migrating to areas outside the project’s DUAT in the Palma District.

Purpose and objectives

The Plan establish a structure for planning and managing changes, aiming to increase positive results related to the project and mitigate negative impacts. The main objectives are:

  • Actively promote awareness and understanding of project development, local and regional planned and induced development pathways, and Project Induced Immigration Management objectives.
  • Promote a multi-stakeholder participation forum to focus coordination and collaboration efforts on development planning and prevention, minimization, and management of residual adverse impacts.
  • Empower stakeholders to coordinate efforts that address Project-Induced Immigration.
  • Promote the design, planning and implementation of programs to address the developmental impacts of project-induced immigration.

Recognize the interconnection between socioeconomic development and project-induced immigration, promoting complementarity between development programming and project-induced immigration management interventions.

Focus areas of project-induced immigration management

This Project-Induced Immigration Management plan comprises nine focal areas, as described below:

Focal area Objectives/Activities
Entry Management Identify immigration pathways and collaborate with key stakeholders (the government and project partners) to create systems that discourage opportunistic immigration.
Multi-stakeholder Forum (MSF) Promote and facilitate active multi-stakeholder engagement, participation and joint management of Project Induced Immigration risks and opportunities.
Enable synergies and improve the planning and supervision of regional development interventions
Spatial planning Promote spatial planning to create an environment conducive to orderly growth in the Palma District.
Urban planning – infrastructure, services, utilities and capacity

 Support the assessment of the capacity of the City of Palma’s infrastructure and public services to meet future demand and, where appropriate, design measures to address key issues.
Support the development of a long-term urban plan for the Palma city area.
Support the development of governmental and administrative capacity to support the development of the city of Palma
Strengthening the community Build and strengthen the resilience of communities to adapt to accelerated change and an environment with new demands through targeted programs aimed at:
Strengthen your ability to articulate aspirations and assert your own cultural norms and identity.
Allow the acquisition of new and diverse skills so that communities can take advantage of development opportunities.
Strengthen community organizational and leadership structures.
Strengthen community law and order and conflict management systems.
Empower the most marginalized and vulnerable in a gender-sensitive way.
Management and use of natural resources Support assessment of community-based natural resource management and potential impacts of Project-Induced Immigration Management
Identify priority areas and support appropriate community-based natural resource management programs.
Community Health Programs Support the development and implementation of strategic health programs carried out in collaboration with the Government of Mozambique and other project partners, which mitigate community health risks on the Afungi Peninsula and provide access points for Project-Induced Immigration in the Palma District.
Interaction in the management of Project-Induced Immigration Establish clear collaboration channels between the project’s internal functions, contributing to collective management of Project-Induced Immigration.
Tracking/Monitoring Determine appropriate Project Induced Immigration tracking and monitoring indicators to be collected and shared with key stakeholders in a timely manner to inform awareness, understanding, priorities and decision-making.
Download the Project-Induced In-Migration Management Plan (PDF)