The United Arab Emirates highlighted on Monday (31) the approximately $800 million investment made by XRG in acquiring a 10% participating interest in the Area 4 concession in the Rovuma Basin as one of the clearest signals of a deepening economic partnership with Mozambique.
The UAE framed XRG's entry into the Area 4 concession as a vote of confidence in Mozambique's economic outlook. The position was expressed during the opening ceremony of the 61st edition of the Maputo International Fair (FACIM 2026), in a remarks delivered on behalf of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
"The acquisition by XRG of a 10% stake in the Area 4 concession, valued at approximately $800 million at the time of closing, is a powerful example of this progress and of the UAE's confidence in Mozambique's future," the representative stated.
During the address, the UAE argued that the economic relationship between the two countries should deepen further, identifying investment opportunities across sectors including energy, logistics, infrastructure, agriculture, industry, and the blue economy.
"Mozambique offers significant opportunities in the areas of energy, logistics, infrastructure, agriculture, industry and the blue economy," the representative said, adding that the UAE shares the ambition of President Daniel Chapo to attract investment, strengthen the private sector, accelerate economic transformation and create jobs — particularly for young people.
The representative further assured that the UAE intends to support those objectives through a partnership oriented towards investment, development, and long-term economic value creation.
Beyond the Area 4 stake, the address also drew attention to ongoing investments at the Port of Maputo, where a $160 million expansion of the container terminal is under way as part of a broader port modernisation programme valued at approximately $600 million.
"We look forward to working closely with Mozambique to turn the opportunities before us into concrete projects and investments — creating jobs, supporting development, and building stronger ties between our two countries," the representative said.
The UAE described FACIM as having established itself as one of Mozambique's principal platforms for trade, investment, and the formation of international partnerships, arguing that the bilateral relationship should enter a new phase of economic cooperation and deeper investment.
Closing the address, the representative reiterated the intention to strengthen ties between the two countries, calling for "an even stronger future of cooperation, deeper investments and shared prosperity between the UAE and Mozambique."
The 61st edition of FACIM 2026 runs from 31 August to 6 September at the Centro Internacional de Feiras e Exposições de Ricatla, in the district of Marracuene, Maputo Province. The event brings together companies, investors, public institutions, and business delegations from approximately 30 countries.
According to data from the Investment and Exports Promotion Agency (APIEX), this year's edition features 3,150 exhibitors — 2,500 domestic and 650 foreign — and is expected to receive around 55,000 visitors over the seven-day period. The fair is held under the theme "Digital and Energy Transformation Towards a Sustainable Economy," with a focus on sectors including energy, infrastructure, agro-industry, logistics, tourism, financial services, and digital technologies.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/08/31/economia/investimento/__trashed-230/
