Mozambican economic porosity and the role of Brazilian capital

Abstract

After two decades of high growth and increased levels of foreign investment, Mozambique continues to face serious problems in reducing poverty. This article investigates the characteristics of Brazilian aid to and investment in Mozambique and scrutinises how these activities relate to the Mozambican growth. Combining the literature on the porosity of Mozambican growth with an analysis of the class dynamics of Brazilian accumulation, this article identifies the class fractions that sustained the Brazilian neo-developmental attempt and their capital internationalisation into Africa. Moreover, it empirically details their role in giving form to porosity in the Mozambique economy and promoting private gains at the expense of social losses.