Abstract
Mozambique is generally considered one of the “African miracles”, thanks to an impressive growth rate and a successful economic transformation process. This paper argues that the enthusiastic evaluations of certain literature mystify, more than help to understand, the very nature of the current processes.
The economic assessments have often been biased by the preconception that the Mozambican case would be extraordinary, only emphasizing the surprising elements. The author underlines how, over the last half century, the economic history of Mozambique has entailed an alternate series of progress and setbacks, depending on events and periods. While remarkable performance has been overestimated, economic busts and social issues have not been given adequate consideration. Such a distorted view risks unveiling some crude disappointments in the future.
*António Francisco is director of research at IESE and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics, Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique
