The government has challenged the private sector to ensure that the 61st edition of the Maputo International Fair (FACIM) yields tangible results, advocating for business participation focused on closing deals, establishing partnerships, and attracting investment.
According to the Agência de Informação de Moçambique (AIM), this position was expressed by Economy Minister Basílio Muhate during a presentation on the status of preparations for the event, as he emphasized that FACIM’s success should be measured by its ability to generate effective agreements and consolidate strategic relationships among different economic stakeholders.
“A trade fair without signed agreements is not a trade fair; a trade fair without the establishment of partnerships is not a trade fair,” stated the minister, reinforcing the need for a more pragmatic and results-oriented approach. Under the theme “Digital and Energy Transformation Toward a Sustainable Economy,” the 2026 edition of FACIM seeks to align with current global trends and economic development priorities, promoting more effective coordination between the public and private sectors.
The Executive believes that the event continues to establish itself as the country’s leading multisectoral economic showcase, bringing together national and international economic actors in a single venue and serving as a strategic platform for promoting exports, attracting investment, and strengthening Mozambique’s integration into regional and global markets.
With about four months to go before the fair, the Government reiterated the importance of consolidating FACIM as a privileged space for the convergence of economic interests, business innovation, and the creation of strategic partnerships, aiming for a model with greater private sector involvement and a focus on measurable results.
On the private sector side, the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA) expressed an overall positive outlook, albeit one constrained by persistent challenges in the business environment. CTA Vice President Amâncio Gume acknowledged FACIM’s role as a well-established platform for business promotion, investment, and economic integration.
However, he highlighted constraints such as limited access to foreign currency, financing difficulties, high operating costs, and fuel supply issues—factors that continue to affect the competitiveness of domestic companies.
Despite these challenges, the private sector anticipates significant participation in FACIM 2026, albeit in a more selective and strategic manner, focused on concrete business opportunities, including business-to-business (B2B) meetings, partnerships with the public sector (B2G), access to financing, and the adoption of new technologies.
The government and the private sector agree that the impact of FACIM will depend on the ability to strengthen connections between exhibitors, investors, and domestic and foreign financiers, creating the conditions for the event to have a tangible impact on the national economy.
