Africa RISE (Reform for Investment and Sustainable Economies) is a technical assistance facility funded by the European Union and implemented by a consortium led by Landell Mills, with support from Adam Smith Europe, Imani Development and International Economics Consulting. Its aim is to promote business development and improve the investment climate in eastern Africa, southern Africa and the Indian Ocean in support of inclusive and sustainable growth, job creation and decent work.

In 2017, the government of Mozambique approved a new regulation on the extended responsibility of producers and importers of packaging material as stipulated in the Decree nº 79/2017. The regulation lays down principles and rules relating to the responsibility of producers and importers of packaging. Among other features, an Environmental Tax on Packaging [ETP] would be introduced to producers and importers of packaging material.

Despite wide consultations, some private sector actors were still concerned about the implementation of the ETP. In June 2022, the Ministry of Land and Environment (MTA) requested support through the EU Africa RISE facility to; 1) facilitate approval of the ETP through public-private dialogues, 2) implement the ETP tax, and 3) operationalize the COMAGE (Comissão de Monitoria e Avaliação de Gestão de Embalagens (Packaging Management Monitoring and Evaluation Committee).

Imani Development provided services through the provision of a Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) Expert. The PPD Expert worked with a team to execute the following activities:

  • Approval of the Ministerial Decree which sets the procedures for charging an Environmental Tax on Packaging material;
  • Provide training and capacity building support for the practical implementation of the Environmental Tax on Packaging;
  • Operationalization of COMAGE under the coordination of MTA.

The final report provides key insights on the implementation of the Environmental Tax on Packaging in Mozambique, highlighting the benefits such a system could bring to the Government of Mozambique on its journey to improve the waste management system in the country.