Maputo, July 3, 2026 (Lusa) - The Mozambican president said on Friday in Tanzania that it is time for Africa to move beyond simply exporting raw materials and begin to industrialise its economies, focusing on artificial intelligence, science, the digital economy and human resource development.
“The 21st century will be shaped by Africa’s ability to transform its enormous potential into wealth for its peoples. The continent can no longer limit itself to exporting raw materials and importing finished products made from those very raw materials that leave Africa,” said the Mozambican Head of State, Daniel Chapo, at the official opening ceremony of the 50th Dar es Salaam International Fair (Saba Saba), where he is attending at the invitation of that country’s President, Samia Suluhu.
Chapo said that the continent needs to focus on the industrialisation of its economies, adding value to the resources at its disposal, as well as investing in science, innovation, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and the skills development of its workforce, particularly young people and women.
The president recalled the historic ties between Mozambique and Tanzania, calling for ports, development corridors, special economic zones and transport networks to bring markets closer together, reduce logistics costs, increase productivity and consolidate Africa’s position as a key player in global value chains.
“From this perspective, the ports of Dar es Salaam, Pemba, Nacala and Beira should not be seen as competing infrastructure, but as a complementary logistics network between two sister nations, capable of bringing markets closer together, reducing transport costs, strengthening regional supply chains and establishing Eastern and Southern Africa as a competitive platform in international trade,” he stated.
He said that, just as more than fifty years ago, when generations were fighting for freedom, it is now time to move forward with achieving the continent’s economic independence, creating mechanisms to provide opportunities for the population, especially young people and women.
“We have said that our borders in Africa are artificial, so we must indeed maintain them politically and administratively, but in economic and commercial terms we must view our African market as integrated, because we are all brothers,” he urged.
Regarding bilateral cooperation, he stated that the two countries are experiencing one of their most promising phases, praising the private sector’s confidence in investing in both countries.
Daniel Chapo invited Tanzania’s private sector to take part, in August, in the Maputo International Fair (Facim), the largest trade fair showcasing Mozambique’s economic potential and business and investment opportunities, which also features other activities, including seminars, promotional sessions and networking events.
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