Post-Colonial Portuguese Migration to Mozambique: An examination of causes, effects and future implications for development

Various theories of migration are used to explain the movement of populations from one place to another. The case of the Portuguese migrating to Mozambique, a former colony of Portugal and one of the most underdeveloped nations in the world, raises interesting questions about migration theory, identity, and the role of nostalgia and "homeland" in migration. Although the Portuguese comprise less than 1 per cent of the total population, they remain one of the largest and most established investors in Mozambique. Interviews with Mozambicans reveal that although the Portuguese are largely seen as an accepted part of Mozambican society, they are also distrusted and viewed more negatively than other white investors. The purpose of this article is to explain why the Portuguese living in Mozambique today migrated or stayed there and to examine the impact of their presence on development and race relations in a post-colonial and developing Mozambique. The article also offers some suggestions for future research.