Development and cooperation partners reaffirmed on Tuesday (14) their commitment to supporting Mozambique in implementing economic reforms and creating a more competitive, transparent and predictable business environment, arguing that these conditions are essential to attract private investment, create jobs and accelerate the country’s economic transformation.
The commitment was reiterated by Paula Varquez, Head of Cooperation at the European Union, speaking on behalf of the Development Partners’ Private Sector Working Group during the 21st Annual Private Sector Conference (CASP). On the occasion, she congratulated the Government for placing private sector development at the centre of its national economic growth strategy, recalling remarks made by President Daniel Chapo at the recent Mozambique–European Union Business Forum, where he stressed the importance of improving predictability, transparency and government efficiency as key pillars for strengthening the business environment.
According to the EU representative, Mozambique has favourable conditions to establish itself as a dynamic economy, driven by the expansion of its energy sector and its predominantly young population. However, she warned that the country continues to face significant challenges, including “foreign exchange constraints, fiscal pressures, climate shocks and broader uncertainty, all of which continue to affect business operations and investment decisions.”
Paula Varquez noted that recent findings from the World Bank Enterprise Survey indicate that business concerns have evolved in recent years. “Today, companies are increasingly seeking predictability, administrative simplification, transparency, access to finance, consistency in policy implementation and fair market conditions. Building on the reforms already under way, continued efforts to address these challenges will further strengthen the foundations for sustainable growth and investment,” she said.
She also emphasised that continuous dialogue between the Government and the private sector remains a crucial instrument for ensuring the success of ongoing reforms. While Mozambique has a long-standing tradition of public-private dialogue, she argued that the current context requires this mechanism to deliver tangible results through clear priorities, continuous monitoring and regular assessment of progress.
The European Union highlighted ongoing dialogue between the Government and the private sector as a key driver of successful reform.
During her address, Paula Varquez outlined several priority areas for improving the investment climate. These include preserving macroeconomic stability through responsible fiscal management, public debt sustainability and greater availability of foreign exchange, as well as strengthening legal certainty and regulatory predictability.
“These measures are essential to improve efficiency, reduce transaction costs and strengthen confidence in public institutions. As development and cooperation partners, we stand ready to continue working with the Government and the private sector in implementing priority reforms and promoting a more competitive, transparent and predictable business environment,” she stated.
The EU representative also reaffirmed the development partners’ confidence in Mozambique’s economic potential, stressing that “the objective is to transform the country’s economic potential into tangible results capable of fostering a more competitive, resilient economy that creates opportunities for all Mozambicans.”
About the Event
Held under the theme “Produce, Transform and Compete: Building a Strong and Resilient Economy,” the 21st Annual Private Sector Conference (CASP 2026) is taking place in Maputo on 14 and 15 July.
The conference brings together government officials, business leaders, business associations, development partners, financial institutions, academics and industry experts to deepen public-private dialogue, assess the implementation of recommendations from the previous edition, and identify reforms, investment opportunities and strategic initiatives capable of strengthening domestic production, local value addition and the competitiveness of Mozambique’s economy.
The programme includes panel discussions on infrastructure, logistics and energy, digital transformation, agribusiness and food security, tourism, industrialisation and local content, human capital development, access to international markets, financing for small and medium-sized enterprises, business resilience and improvements to the business environment. It also features bilateral sessions between Mozambique and Japan and between Mozambique and China, alongside dedicated forums showcasing investment opportunities and business partnerships.
Text: Felisberto Ruco & Soares Comé
