Brazil and Mozambique are seeking to deepen their economic partnership by expanding investment, technology transfer and local production, as the two countries look to transform their longstanding political and cultural ties into a broader relationship centred on industrial development.
The push was highlighted at the Maputo International Trade Fair (FACIM), Mozambique’s largest multisectoral business event, where Brazil is participating as the country of honour. Mozambican President Daniel Chapo inaugurated the Brazilian pavilion organised by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, ApexBrasil. Around 70 representatives of Brazilian companies, cooperatives and organisations participated, marking Brazil’s largest presence at the fair.
Beyond traditional trade
The event brought together 30 Brazilian companies and around 100 Mozambican firms for meetings aimed at identifying investment opportunities and potential partnerships. ApexBrasil President Laudemir Müller also held discussions with Chapo on areas in which cooperation could be expanded.
Müller said Brazil wanted its relationship with Mozambique to go beyond the conventional export of goods and instead contribute to developing the country’s productive capabilities. The focus, he said, would include strengthening local suppliers and bringing technology and technical knowledge into Mozambique’s business sector.
Sixty-four Brazilian companies already export to Mozambique. Brazil also views the country as a strategic entry point to the wider Southern African Development Community market, potentially giving Brazilian businesses access to economies across the region.
Plans are also being considered for a direct air connection between Brazil and Maputo to strengthen passenger movement, business exchanges and cargo connectivity.
Gateway to African markets
Mozambique’s Confederation of Economic Associations President Álvaro Massingue said the country wanted Brazilian investors to see it not merely as a market but as a platform for production and expansion across Africa. Business organisations are seeking to facilitate partnerships, identify opportunities and help convert investment proposals into projects.
Cooperation between the two countries is expanding across agriculture, hydrocarbons, renewable energy, infrastructure, healthcare, aviation, services and digitalisation. Brazilian Ambassador to Mozambique Ademar Seabra has also stressed the importance of technical and vocational training in developing the skilled workforce required to sustain greater investment.
Officials said Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s visit to Mozambique last year had provided fresh momentum to bilateral ties, with several initiatives subsequently moving forward.
Mozambique’s Investment and Export Promotion Agency has meanwhile called for more joint ventures and technology transfers between companies from the two countries. Officials see Brazil’s experience in renewable energy, biotechnology and industrial development as particularly relevant to Mozambique’s efforts to expand productive capacity and accelerate sustainable economic growth.