On Monday, June 16, during the Mozambique–Japan Economic Forum, Prime Minister Benvinda Levi made a direct appeal to the Japanese business sector, inviting it to increase investment in the country. She emphasized that the entry of Japanese companies into natural gas projects is a clear sign of Mozambique’s attractiveness to foreign investors.
According to the newspaper O País, Mozambique and Japan have maintained diplomatic relations for 48 years, a partnership that has evolved in a consistent and multifaceted manner. Japan is considered a strategic partner, not only due to its support in social sectors such as health and education, but also because of its growing presence in large-scale economic projects.
“In our cooperation with Japan, we would like to highlight some key structural initiatives that have a significant impact on Mozambique’s socioeconomic development, such as: the training and capacity-building of human resources, the rehabilitation and modernization of the Port of Nacala, the construction of a gas-fired combined cycle power plant in Maputo, and Japan’s participation in the liquefied natural gas project in Area 1 of the Rovuma Basin,” said Benvinda Levi in her address.
Mozambique’s participation in Expo Osaka 2025 (which runs until October) is also aimed at promoting technology transfer and consolidating partnerships in science, innovation, and trade. The Prime Minister expressed optimism about the potential of the event to forge new cooperation agreements that benefit both nations.
“We hope that during Expo Osaka 2025, beyond interaction and knowledge exchange in development and innovation, we will also sign agreements and commitments that strengthen cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, and further expand trade and investment relations on a mutually beneficial basis,” she added.
At the Japan–Mozambique Economic Forum, held in parallel with the celebration of Mozambique Day, Benvinda Levi reiterated the invitation to Japanese entrepreneurs, highlighting that the involvement of Japanese companies in gas projects in the Rovuma Basin is a strong incentive for new business ventures in Mozambique.
“The recent entry of large Japanese companies into Mozambique’s gas and oil sector is an important factor encouraging the establishment of more businesses in the country. This will help increase and diversify investment portfolios in strategic projects. Therefore, we invite and encourage Japanese entrepreneurs and all participants at this event to capitalize on Mozambique’s investment and business opportunities, especially in agribusiness, industry, energy, infrastructure, mineral resources, and tourism,” she stated.
For his part, Japanese Ambassador to Mozambique Hamada Keij reaffirmed Japan’s strategic interest in economic cooperation with Mozambique, stressing that, in addition to the supply of raw materials, Japan also sees the region as a promising market for its products and technology.
One of the main examples of Japanese investment in Mozambique is the rehabilitation, expansion, and modernization of the Port of Nacala—a large-scale project led by Mitsui, aimed at strengthening regional logistics and connectivity.
Source: Diário Económico
