Continuing its policy of heavy investment in infrastructure, the government is pushing forward with a plan to redevelop a former military airbase at Nacala, in Nampula province, into an international airport. The scheme was officially launched in May 2010, but little progress has since been made. The contractor carrying out the work is a Brazilian engineering company, Odebrecht. Work is now due to begin in May this year, with completion scheduled for early 2012.

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The scheme to develop the former airbase-which has not operated as an air force facility for decades-has existed for some time. However, questions remain over its viability, including where traffic for an international airport might come from. Nacala is a small port city on the coast of Nampula province, far from prominent tourist or commercial draws. The province's main centre is Nampula city, which is located 200 km inland and which has an existing international airport. It is therefore unclear what could justify such a large investment. The scheme is the latest of several public investments in airport infrastructure, including the redevelopment of Maputo international airport and international airports at Pemba and Vilanculos, the latter two of which are prominent centres for the tourist industry.

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