The Government aims to accelerate economic independence, strengthen domestic production and translate economic growth into jobs and improved living conditions for the population, the Minister of Planning and Development, Salim Valá, said on Wednesday (20) in Maputo during the 22nd Session of the Development Observatory.
In a document sent to Diário Económico, the minister also warned that the country must “plan better, execute better and monitor better” to ensure concrete results.
The minister said Mozambique faces structural challenges that continue to limit economic and social transformation, arguing that economic independence should become a national priority. According to Salim Valá, “economic independence begins when national wealth starts financing national transformation,” through the mobilisation of domestic savings to strengthen the country’s productive capacity.
During his intervention, the minister stressed that state plans must be realistic and strictly implemented, criticising the tendency to justify non-compliance. “Plans, as realistic promises of what we intend to achieve, must be scrupulously fulfilled. That must be our focus, not the justification of non-compliance,” he said.
Economic transformation and internal challenges
Salim Valá also highlighted that the Mozambican economy remains vulnerable to internal and external shocks, worsened by geopolitical tensions, climate change and domestic weaknesses. However, he noted positive medium- and long-term prospects driven by investment in tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, development corridors and large-scale mineral and energy projects.
He revealed that after four consecutive quarters of economic contraction since late 2024, gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 4.67% in the fourth quarter of 2025. However, the country ended the year with an overall economic contraction of 0.52%, below the 2.9% forecast in the 2025 Economic and Social Plan and State Budget (PESOE).
For 2026, the Government projects economic growth of 2.8%, although Salim Valá acknowledged a possible downward revision due to January floods and the impact of the war in the Middle East. He also said the 2026 Post-Flood Recovery and Reconstruction Plan and the 2026–2030 Integrated Investment Programme could support a recovery in inclusive growth.
“Economic independence begins when national wealth is used to finance national transformation”
Salim Valá
The minister emphasised that structural economic transformation requires greater diversification, strengthening of national value chains and expansion of industrialisation. “Economic independence requires productive capacity, competitiveness, innovation and greater use of the country’s potential and opportunities,” he said.
More social investment and better governance
Salim Valá also called for increased investment in education, health, water supply, sanitation and youth employability, stressing that economic growth will only have a real impact if it reduces social and spatial inequalities, generates jobs and effectively improves citizens’ living conditions.
He further called for joint involvement of the State, private sector, academia, civil society and international partners in implementing national priorities. “Mozambique’s future will depend largely on our ability to turn dialogue into action, vision into execution and potential into shared prosperity,” he concluded.
