The Council of Ministers approved Decree No. 41/2026, of July 27, which approves the new
Regulation on Simplified Licensing for the Exercise of Economic Activities, repealing the
previous Decree No. 39/2017, of July 28.
The legislation aims to encompass a wider range of economic activities and reinforce the
principles of digital transformation, administrative simplification, institutional interoperability,
citizen trust, and post-event auditing, aligning the system with international best practices for
promoting a positive business environment.
The Decree will come into effect 90 days after the date of its publication, that is, on October 25,
2026.
Key innovations
- Expansion of the Scope of Simplified Licensing
The Regulation establishes the legal framework for Simplified Licensing applicable to economic
activities that, by their nature, do not cause negative impacts that are difficult to mitigate on the
environment, public health, safety, or the economy, as provided for in Annex II. The regime also
covers activities with negligible impacts classified in Category C of the Environmental Impact
Assessment, as well as the licensing of certain tourism developments, restaurants and bars, and
dance halls.
The regime applies to individuals and legal entities that intend to carry out economic activities in
the national territory, covering the areas of agriculture, commerce, communications,
construction, culture, industry, fishing, service provision and tourism, in accordance with Annex
II of the Regulation.
The exercise of the covered economic activities is exempt from Environmental Impact
Assessment, Simplified Environmental Impact Assessment and Prior Inspection, without
prejudice to Category C Environmental Impact Assessment in the specific cases identified in the
Regulation.
Competence and Registration
It is the responsibility of the Delegate of the Single Service Desk (BAU) to authorize the
simplified licensing of the covered economic activities. In locations where there is no BAU, this
responsibility is exercised by the local district-level body.
Digitization, Interoperability and Digital Inclusion
The procedures related to simplified licensing should preferably be carried out electronically,
through the Integrated Citizen Service Provision Platform (e-BAU), which should interoperate
with other State systems, eliminating the need to repeatedly submit documents that have already
been submitted.
An electronic signature has the same legal value as a handwritten signature. For citizens who do
not have electronic means, the State must provide digital kiosks at One-Stop Shops, in-person
assistance for electronic submission, and mobile-based solutions.
Issuance, Registration and Validity of the License
Among the main rules, the following stand out:
a) Issuance of the Simplified License within a maximum period of 1 (one) day;
b) mandatory registration in case of change of ownership, trade name, location or change of
activity within the same CAE subclass;
c) validity of 3 (three) years, renewable for the same period upon presentation of the respective
form;
d) obligation to communicate changes to data, trade name, registered office or legal
representative at least 10 (ten) days in advance, as well as to update the register by March 31 of
each year;
License Holder’s Obligations
The holder of the Simplified License must comply with the legal conditions of operation, safety,
hygiene, health and environment, display prices in national currency, provide a complaints box
and a toll-free telephone line, as well as cooperate with the licensing and inspection authorities.
Inspection and Sanctioning Regime
The holder of the Simplified License is subject to inspection after the license is issued, with this
inspection being carried out by, among other entities, the National Inspectorate of Economic
Activities, the General Inspectorate of Food and Economic Safety, the National Institute of
Standardization and Quality, the Tax Authority, and the General Inspectorate of Labor.
Infractions are punishable by a recorded warning, fine, suspension, prohibition, closure of the
establishment, or cancellation of the license. Fines range from 4 (four) to 10 (ten) times the
minimum wage for public service, depending on the severity of the infraction.
Fees and Transitional Provisions
The application, renewal, reissuance, and registration of the Simplified License are subject to a
fee, calculated based on the minimum wage for public service employees.
Revenues are distributed in the proportion of 60% to the State Budget and 40% to the licensing
authority. Holders of licenses issued under Decree No. 39/2017 must regularize their respective
licenses within 12 (twelve) months from the entry into force of the new Regulation, free of
charge.
Conclusion
Decree No. 41/2026 reflects the legislator’s intention to broaden the scope of simplified licensing
and strengthen digital transformation, administrative simplification, and institutional
interoperability, promoting a more predictable regulatory environment aligned with international
best practices for promoting a positive business environment.
In this context, holders of simplified licenses issued under Decree No. 39/2017 of July 28 must
ensure the regularization of their licenses with the licensing authority within the legal deadline,
in order to guarantee compliance with the new procedures and obligations foreseen in the
Regulation.
For further information and updates please contact JLA Advogados, the LEX Africa member in
Mozambique, on maputo@jlaadvogados.com or visit https://www.jlaadvogados.com.
