Africa-Press – Mozambique. On 22 May 2025, the President of the Republic of Mozambique, Daniel Chapo, visited the Asset Management Office, part of the Ministry of Finance. The Office, created in 2020, manages seized and recovered assets.
“Justice is done by going into the pockets of criminals. Today, these asset management processes are part of crime prevention,” said Alda Manjate, Director of the Asset Management Office.
As Mozambique’s Minister of Finance, Carla Louveira, explains, “we transform assets recovered from crime into public benefits. It is a new area of work for us, which we are showcasing today given the magnitude of the work that is being done.”
“The numbers speak for themselves: between revenue and State savings, the Asset Management Office generated around 24 million in 2024, up from 8 million in 2022,” says Manjate.
His Excellency Daniel Chapo congratulated the Asset Management Office for the results achieved to date.
Assets are managed at three levels. First, the Office allocates assets, such as cars and real estate, to public entities, enabling the state to provide better public services. This generates significant monthly savings by avoiding the purchase of vehicles and the rental of spaces.
Currently, assets are allocated to 43 public entities located in 5 different provinces, with savings estimated at around 36 million meticais for 2025.
“Refrigerators that were previously used to store drugs now store medicines at Maputo Central Hospital. Cars that belonged to criminals now help criminal investigators carry out their work. Luxury houses and apartments that housed criminals are now used by the State to reinforce public services,” explains Alda Manjate.
Secondly, the Office rents out real estate and businesses, with part of the revenue reverting to the State. From the 32 properties already leased – such as houses, apartments, shops and gas stations – the Office expects to collect at least 84 million meticais in 2025, with other properties such as hotels and a farm to be leased in the coming months.
Finally, through the sale of assets at auctions open to the public, from luxury cars, trucks and tractors, to bicycles and household appliances, the Asset Management Office aims to raise an additional 100 million meticais.
Since 2021, with the support of the government of Switzerland, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has provided technical assistance to the Asset Management Office, helping to create and solidify processes that ensure the effective management of these assets, bringing international best practices in this field to Mozambique. This includes developing internal strategies and processes and ongoing training, with over 400 hours of mentoring to date. This capacity-building effort also includes the exchange of best practices with countries such as Italy and Brazil.
“We are investing in technology, thus ensuring the transparency of these processes. Soon, a dedicated electronic auction system, developed by the Centre for the Development of Financial Information Systems with technical support from UNODC, will be launched. This platform will allow anyone to participate, regardless of location,” explains UNODC’s asset management project officer Luiz Beggiora.
In 2024, a public portal was also launched, which allows any citizen to verify where these seized assets are being used.
Mozambique’s asset management system is designed with sustainability in mind, aiming to fully finance the operations of both the Asset Management Office and the Asset Recovery Office. Most of the generated revenue is reinvested in other areas of public investment, such as security, health, education and criminal justice itself.
“This creates a virtuous circle: the more assets we manage, the more resources become available to investigate crime. Stronger investigations lead to more criminal groups being brought to justice – and more assets seized.
In the end, crime loses, justice is strengthened and society wins. It’s a model that not only combats crime but also transforms crime-derived assets into opportunities, reinvesting in the country’s future,” highlights Luiz Beggiora.
“By 2026, our goal is to have 170 goods destined for public services and 300 goods already auctioned. With UNODC’s continued support, we are on track to turn these projections into reality,” said Alda Manjate.
“We aim to prevent crime through a clear message: crime does not pay. Every recovered asset managed effectively and efficiently is a step towards a safer and fairer Mozambique,” she concluded.
The next auction takes place on 9 June at 9:00 a.m., featuring over 150 vehicles for sale, each offered at a 30% discount below market value For more information, visit https://www.gestaoactivos.gov.mz/leiloes-em-andamento/.
About UNODC
Established in 1997 and with projects implemented in 150 countries, UNODC provides technical assistance to United Nations Member States to improve their capacity to counter organized crime, drug trafficking and use, corruption and terrorism, as well as in strengthening criminal justice systems and access to justice.
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