Security perspective on Mozambique

Mozambique

Henk du Bruyn, the Mozambique country manager of Control Risks, talks to TOGY about the security risks in Mozambique and the region. Control Risks provides consultancy and security services.

This interview is featured in The Energy Year Mozambique 2019

• On risks in Mozambique: “The key challenges are likely to be around specific and localised challenges: community issues, labor unrest, etc.”

• On the region: “In each country the risk environment is different and the services we typically provide are different. In Nigeria, for example, kidnapping is a big concern. In Kenya there is a focus on due diligence and mitigating integrity risks.”

• On variation: “In Maputo there has traditionally been a risk of kidnapping and organised crime, while central regions have previously struggled with the Renamo insurgency and in the north we have seen a small but emerging threat of militancy. All of these risks are manageable, but cannot be dealt with through a one-size-fits-all approach to security.”

Is it Mozambique a risky country?
Mozambique presents a complicated risk environment. From a security perspective there is a lot of variation across the country. In Maputo there has traditionally been a risk of kidnapping and organised crime, while central regions have previously struggled with the Renamo insurgency and in the north we have seen a small but emerging threat of militancy. All of these risks are manageable, but cannot be dealt with through a one-size-fits-all approach to security.
In terms of political risk, Frelimo has long maintained its political dominance and adopts a broadly pro-business policy stance.

Would you attribute the recent attacks in the north to religious matters?
Cabo Delgado is an under-developed province suddenly facing a huge influx of foreign investment around natural gas projects. It has a young population with few formal employment opportunities, sits on the smuggling route from Tanzania to South Africa, and has links to areas where there are radical Islamist ideologies further up the Swahili Coast in Kenya and Somalia. There may be aspects of religious ideology behind the recent attacks, but really it is a mixture of factors.

How do you compare Mozambique in terms of risk to other regions or countries?
In Africa, we have full-service offices in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, and we have worked in every country on the continent. In each country the risk environment is different and the services we typically provide are different. In Nigeria, for example, kidnapping is a big concern. In Kenya there is a focus on due diligence and mitigating integrity risks. There are very few countries that a company cannot operate in successfully, but to do so it is important to understand the country and the risks it poses; from there you can start to address and mitigate those risks.
In Mozambique a lot of our work is currently focused on journey management and that type of security service. However, we have been helping clients understand market entry and investment risks in the country for decades.

Which service areas do you expect to grow in coming years?
In Mozambique security is likely to remain our key focus. There will always be a role for analysis and due diligence, especially as new players look to enter a rapidly growing market and existing players face unexpected issues. However, the key challenges are likely to be around specific and localised challenges: community issues, labor unrest, etc. It is important to take a holistic approach to these challenges. This involves not only putting in place the physical security measures to protect assets and personnel but also understanding the root causes of these issues so that they can be addressed.

Read our latest insights on:

• Mozambique
• Nigeria
• Tanzania