Entrepreneurs from Indonesia, Kenya and Tanzania have recently expressed interest in investing in the agri-business sector in Niassa province, northern Mozambique, with a focus on the production and processing of macadamia, soya and vegetable crops, as well as raising cattle and other domestic species.
According to information published on Thursday 16 November by Semanário Económico, the intention was demonstrated during the Niassa Investment Forum, which took place last Friday (10 November), and where the president of the Agro-Industrial and Commercial Association of Niassa (AAICN), Inocêncio Sotomane, explained that a portfolio of 20 projects was brought to the event, which attracted the attention of Tanzanian, Kenyan and Indonesian businesspeople.
“When drawing up the portfolio of projects to be presented at the Investment Forum, the AAICN and the government authorities took into account the constraints on the international market with regard to the availability of cereals. The world’s biggest producers are currently facing production difficulties due to the war, so this situation must be turned into an opportunity,” said Sotomane.
According to Sotomane, Niassa province has more than two million hectares of arable land with favourable conditions for planting crops that require a tropical or temperate climate.
“In addition to these factors, there is a favourable environment for doing business, with a road system that connects the cities of Lichinga and the ports of Nacala and Pemba, in the provinces of Nampula and Cabo Delgado,” he said.
The first Niassa Investment Forum was organised by the Mozambican Chamber of Commerce (CCM) as part of the Industrialise Mozambique Programme (PRONAI) and was on the theme of “Agriculture and Energy as Driving Factors in the Development of Niassa Province”. The event brought together various businesspeople, ambassadors accredited to the country and investors.
