Maputo, July 8, 2026 (Lusa) - The World Bank warned on Wednesday that natural resources are no guarantee of development for Mozambique, noting that they can only ensure the country’s growth if they are converted into resilient infrastructure and used to boost agriculture, education, health, and employment.
“Natural resources are an opportunity for development, but not a guarantee. Mozambique’s gas and mineral resources can transform the country only if they are converted into productive assets, agricultural production, infrastructure, institutions, education, health, and jobs,” said Filly Sissoko, the World Bank’s country director for Mozambique.
He was speaking in Maputo at the opening of the International Conference on Inclusive and Sustainable Development in Mozambique, where he emphasized that the country has seen significant growth and development over the past 25 years, despite continuing to face challenges related to security in Cabo Delgado and climate events, noting that it is now necessary to move forward with inclusive development.
“Diversification is essential. No country can sustain prosperity with a narrow economic base. Mozambique must strengthen agriculture, agro-industrial processing, manufacturing, logistics, tourism, and other services,” he said.
In the same remarks, he indicated that it is time to focus on job creation through natural resources, with an emphasis on human capital development, and called on the country to leverage its demographic dividend to develop high-quality human resources.
Sissoko also suggested that “solid institutions and resilience form the foundation of sustainable development.”
“Mozambique’s experience demonstrates that the confidence of investors and citizens is rooted in governance, transparency, and sound economic management. Resilience must also be embedded in all sectors to enable the country to withstand climate, health, and security shocks,” he added.
The World Bank wants to see Mozambique modernize its agriculture by focusing on expanding irrigation, resilient production, and agro-processing to ensure the country’s food security, create jobs, and connect domestic producers with regional and global markets.
It also advocates for a focus on digital technologies, investing in digital services to ensure development.
“A modern public administration enhances accountability, coordination, and fiscal discipline, while maintaining a relentless focus on results. Together, these priorities can help Mozambique achieve structural transformation by combining agricultural modernization, human capital development, investment in infrastructure, energy-driven industrialization, and disciplined implementation to generate jobs,” said Sissoko.
For its part, the European Union pledged to continue supporting Mozambique in its development projects but pointed to persistent challenges in addressing climate-related events and insecurity in Cabo Delgado province.
“Despite the progress made over the past few decades, significant challenges remain. Poverty and inequality continue to affect far too many Mozambicans, and it is important to remember that economic growth must increasingly translate into opportunities and shared prosperity,” said the European Union’s ambassador to Mozambique, Antonino Maggiore.
The diplomat called for strong institutions capable of transforming policies into concrete opportunities for the people, noting that the ongoing conference should result in concrete proposals regarding a commitment to the future and culminate in an approach that charts the course for the next 25 years.
Today’s conference is being held under the theme “From Assessment to Action—Toward the Country’s Integrated Development” and aims to evaluate Mozambique’s development trajectory between 2000 and 2025 and foster consensus on strategies, reforms, and priorities for the coming decades.
PME/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
