Mateus attained his Bachlors Degree in Social Science from the Pedagogical University- Maputo in 2008. After becoming comitted to HIV/ AIDS awareness, Mateus transferred to Nampula province and trained HIV/AIDS trainers for two years, and in 2007- became a monitoring and Evaluation Officer for KUKULA/ CARE International, where he specialised in Village Savings and Loans. Mateus became familiar with coastal communities from Inhambane Province when he joined the KUKULU/ Care offices in Vilankulo in 2007 as a Project Manager. Before joining African Parks, Mateus acted as Programme Manager for the Aga Khan Foundation in their Pemba Office for five years, where he specialised in Civil Society and Local Governance.