The Mozambican government is seeking to deepen Vietnamese investment in productive sectors of the national economy, with particular emphasis on agro-industry, energy, information technology, manufacturing, logistics, and digital financial services.
According to an official statement, the position was put forward by Minister of Planning and Development Salim Valá during the ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, held on 27 August in Maputo.
In his address, the minister called for a shift in the nature of economic cooperation between the two countries, moving away from traditional trade towards a relationship with a stronger productive dimension. “Cooperation with Vietnam must evolve increasingly from technical assistance and traditional trade towards productive partnerships, technology transfer, specialised training, joint investment, and business integration,” Salim Valá stated.
The government has identified several areas with potential for new investment and partnerships between Mozambican and Vietnamese companies. “We want to see new and promising partnerships in agro-industry, fisheries and aquaculture, energy, manufacturing, construction, transport and logistics, information technology, digital financial services, tourism, and technical and vocational training,” the minister said.
In agriculture, Mozambique intends to draw on Vietnam’s experience to raise productivity and develop areas including seed production, irrigation, mechanisation, storage, and agricultural processing.
Rice was cited as an example of opportunities yet to be explored. Despite importing the grain — including from Vietnam — the country has, according to the government, the conditions to increase domestic production. “The common challenge is to transform part of that trade relationship into a productive investment partnership in Mozambique,” Salim Valá said, advocating for the involvement of Vietnamese companies, Mozambican producers, research centres, and financial institutions.
In the cashew value chain, the government also aims to increase domestic processing and reduce dependence on raw nut exports. “Our ambition is to go beyond the export of raw cashew nuts. We intend to promote greater local processing, improve quality, develop industrial capabilities, and create higher value-added products,” he said.
Bilateral trade between Mozambique and Vietnam reached approximately US$458.6 million in 2024. Of that total, Mozambique exported around US$350.7 million and imported US$107.9 million, generating a trade surplus of US$242.9 million.
However, the government views the current trade structure as insufficiently diversified. More than 90% of Mozambican exports to Vietnam were concentrated in mineral coal and cashew nuts, while rice accounted for the largest share of imports from the Asian country. In this context, Salim Valá argued that “the next cycle of the bilateral partnership” should transform the existing trade flows into “greater added value, more investment, greater participation by small and medium enterprises,” and new linkages between the two countries’ private sectors.
The minister also pointed to the presence of Viettel — operating in Mozambique through Movitel — as evidence of the potential of Vietnamese capital in the country. The company’s cumulative investment exceeds US$600 million and has contributed to the expansion of telecommunications, digital inclusion, and job creation. “We therefore invite Vietnamese companies to better understand the opportunities available in Mozambique and to establish lasting partnerships with Mozambican companies,” Salim Valá declared.
The government also wants Mozambican entrepreneurs to view Vietnam not merely as a destination for raw materials, but as a market for processed goods, a source of technology, and a gateway to Asian value chains.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/08/28/economia/investimento/governo-quer-mais-investimento-do-vietname-na-agro-industria/
