A new industrial park taking shape in northern Mozambique could give local businesses a larger share of the millions of dollars spent each year supplying the country’s mining industry.

Construction of the Topuito Industrial Park began Wednesday in Larde district, Nampula province, with the government betting that the project can turn rising mining activity into contracts, jobs and new businesses for communities in the region.

At the center of the plan is Kenmare, the heavy mineral sands producer whose operations have created demand for engineering, transport, maintenance, food and other services.

The company spent more than $70 million on contracted services in 2025, according to officials involved in the project.

The 600 million metical($9.4 million) industrial park is expected to take about a year to build.

More than 50 companies are expected to establish operations there, while officials estimate the wider project could create more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Building a local supply base

The park will cover 215 hectares, including a 10-hectare SME Village designed to help smaller companies meet the standards required by large mining and industrial projects.

Dito Andela, an infrastructure specialist at Conecta Negócios, said the facility would help address gaps in quality and technical capacity that often prevent local businesses from winning major contracts.

“The facility will enable SMEs to move closer to the value chain of products and services demanded by Kenmare and other major investments,” he said.

Kenmare looks to nearby suppliers

The park will include warehouses, workshops, training facilities, cold storage and accommodation.

The cold-storage facilities are also expected to support farmers and fishermen by helping them preserve and process products before taking them to market.

For Kenmare, having suppliers closer to its operations could reduce delivery times and make it easier to source goods and services.

Supply Director Jalak Zent said the company favors Mozambican suppliers when they can meet its technical requirements.

Beyond the mining industry

MozParks Director Onório Manuel said Kenmare would provide an initial market for businesses at the park, but the longer-term goal is to attract companies from other industries, including agro-processing, fisheries, engineering, metalworking and parts manufacturing.

MozParks is an industrial park developer and operator in Mozambique. It develops industrial sites and provides infrastructure and services aimed at attracting businesses and supporting local suppliers.

The company is working with Conecta Negócios, the World Bank and the Northern Integrated Development Agency on the Topuito project.

Officials also see room for mineral processing under Mozambique’s Mining Law, which provides for greater local processing of extracted resources.

But roads, electricity and technical training will need to improve if the park is to attract more companies and create the wider economic benefits the government expects.