Due to a general lack of a proper road network in Inhambane,  development in rural areas have been very limited.

Economic and social development has been focused and limited to a few areas located next to the Mozambique national road.

Rural communities therefore have to travel big distances in order to satisfy basic human needs and requirements.

Basic social and economic requirements are:
Access to water;
Basic household products and goods;
Access to markets for local agricultural produce;
Primary healthcare;
 Basic banking facilities;

The Arvore da Vida Rural Trading Point Model aims to deliver all of the above to rural communities.