What enhances or hinders participation in decision making of villagers in local development planning? Mozambique recently approved a new decentralisation law aimed at devolving power to local levels rather than dispensing development activities out to localities from the centre. Recent Institute of Development Studies research of participatory local development plans analyses which factors help and which hinder the sharing of decision-making between traditional authorities, local government and NGOs in the Mandimba district of Mozambique’s Niassa Province. The study highlights the role of traditional authorities as a decisive factor and suggests ways of overcoming obstacles and maximising gains.