The objective for this paper is to firstly set the background for a discussion and analysis of Mozambique and its merchandise trading background before presenting a more detailed analysis of this trade and possible implications for Mozambique of wider trade and economic integration. A comprehensive discussion on trade data and techniques for its analysis is provided. Specifically, for the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) Mozambique is expected to negotiate with fifteen potential partners in the TFTA region. These are EAC (5 members), Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia and Eritrea plus Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Seychelles and Sudan.

This is a challenging agenda. Mozambique has some trade with EAC and Angola but virtually no trade with the others. Mozambique has a particularly strong trading relationship with South Africa, and examining the South African trading data for 2013 we assess that the Mozambique-South African bilateral trade is the second largest bilateral in Africa after the Nigerian-South African bilateral (and ahead of the Zimbabwe-South African bilateral). Mozambique fits the general African pattern of exporting fuels and mineral products and importing manufactures and fuels. The paper will introduce some background principles to assist officials in understanding and engaging in both trade data analysis and general trade negotiations.

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