Real Estate Investor Magazine Mozambique Real Estate Investor Magazine Mozambique 2014 | Page 10

INVEST By Bryan Wester How to Invest in Mozambique Top investment tips… I nvesting in Mozambique, to many, can be experienced as one of the most enduring, frustrating, and challenging aspects of the country. This is as a result of the complex legalities and structures surrounding ownership of either, land or physical buildings. It is important to note, in terms of the Mozambique Land Law of 1997, that all land within the country of Mozambique is the property of the state. It cannot be bought or sold. One can only acquire the ‘right of use’ and benefit from the land (called Direito de Uso e Aproveitamento de Terra – DUAT). This pertains to both local residents and foreigners, therefore the concept of ‘ownership’ of property built on the land, is limited in accordance with the rights of the DUAT holder. However, any infrastructure or construction of buildings on the property may be owned, sold and transferred from one owner to another. Therefore, leisure property owners can obtain ownership of the structure built 8 Mozambique Real Estate Investor on the land. These property owners can sell this structure at a profit, without restricting other buyers