The Minister of Planning and Development, Salim Valá, stated on Tuesday (2) in Seoul that Mozambique should leverage its critical mineral resources to drive industrialization, create skilled jobs, and increase the value added to the national economy.
Speaking at the Korea-Africa Business Forum 2026, which focused on the role of critical minerals and energy in the global energy transition, the minister said the country’s strategy is to move beyond the export of raw materials and invest in local processing, technology transfer, and the development of national skills, according to an official statement.
According to the minister, Mozambique possesses nine of the twelve critical minerals currently recognized worldwide, including graphite, lithium, rare earth elements, tantalum, niobium, and titanium—resources considered essential for the production of batteries, semiconductors, renewable energy technologies, and other solutions linked to the energy transition.
“Our objective is to transform critical minerals into local processing, industrialization, technology transfer, skills development, the creation of more quality jobs, and greater inclusion,” he said.
The minister emphasized that Mozambique has the potential to integrate into global value chains associated with critical minerals, particularly in battery manufacturing, electric mobility, clean technologies, and renewable energy sectors, all of which are experiencing growing international demand.
Valá further stressed that the exploitation of mineral resources should translate into shared economic benefits, contributing to national development and improving the living conditions of the population.
In addition to the country’s mining potential, the minister highlighted Mozambique’s energy resources, including hydropower, solar, wind, biomass, and natural gas, advocating for an integrated approach between the mining and energy sectors to strengthen the economy’s competitiveness.
According to Valá, the Government is creating conditions to attract greater domestic and foreign investment into the so-called mineral-energy complex through legal, regulatory, and institutional reforms aimed at improving the business environment and providing greater predictability for investors. During his remarks, he reiterated that Mozambique seeks to position itself as a significant player in the global energy transition by combining the sustainable exploitation of natural resources with industrialization and job creation.
The minister also emphasized the importance of deepening strategic partnerships with countries such as South Korea, arguing that the country’s technological and industrial expertise could help accelerate the development of value chains linked to critical minerals and energy in Mozambique.
Salim Valá’s address took place during the Korea-Africa Business Forum 2026, held in Seoul on the sidelines of the Korea-Africa Ministerial Meeting. The event brings together government representatives, business leaders, and financial institutions from African countries and the Republic of Korea to discuss opportunities for economic cooperation, trade, and investment.
Under the theme “Joint Responses to Global Challenges: Korea-Africa Solidarity,” the forum focuses on issues such as the energy transition, critical minerals, food security, climate change, and digital transformation, all considered priority areas for strengthening economic relations between Africa and South Korea.
