Mozambique seeks investment in agriculture in U.S. – economist

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Mozambique seeks investment in agriculture in U.S. – economist

12:07 CAT | 16 Dec 2022

File photo: DW

In an interview with Deutsche Welle, economist Araújo Araújo says that Mozambique is seeking US investment in agriculture, highlighting the importance of President Nyusi having recognized at the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit that the fight against terrorism also involves awareness-raising actions.

More than 50 African leaders participated in the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit, which finished yesterday (15-12) in Washington, D.C..

Among them was President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique who, in statements at the summit on Tuesday (13-12), highlighted the fight against terrorism in northern Mozambique and the partnership with the forces of SADC and Rwanda as examples of regional integration.

President Nyusi said that, in order to solve African problems, “solutions must first be found within the continent itself”, and that the fight against terrorism was carried out not only with war material, but also with actions “to train and occupy more young people”, so that poverty did not lead to their radicalization.

In an interview with DW, economist Araújo Araújo says he believes that the Mozambican president wants to convey the image that he can solve internal problems, because this is important to attract more investors and create jobs, particularly in the agriculture sector.

DW Africa: What kind of investment is Mozambique looking for in Washington?

Araújo Araújo (AA): I believe that, from time to time, depending on circumstances, countries’ interests diversify and positions change. But I believe that the first flag of the President of the Republic will be agriculture, because Mozambique is a country with a vast amount of fertile land and also a very large potential from the point of view of labour for this sector.

DW Africa: So, do you think the Mozambican president is looking for investors for the agriculture sector?

AA: Yes, I think this is the primary flag and, in the background, natural gas could then come. And I want to believe that there are other resources, like graphite, heavy sands…

DW Africa: How do you evaluate US investments in Mozambique?

AA: Historically, the United States of America is one of Mozambique’s great partners. They are now showing interest in investing again, and I believe that their investment interests in Mozambique will increase, despite the fact that they have cooled somewhat in the last four or five years.

DW Africa: In his participation at the summit, President Filipe Nyusi highlighted two issues: the need to find the motivations of terrorism and the support of Rwanda and SADC, with the environment of “involvement” that was created between the countries of the region. What message does Mozambique want to convey?

AA: I would like to add a third point. Mozambique went through several phases of conflict in which – even in circumstances in which the community, both local and international, had little belief that the country could reach moments of stability – Mozambique managed, with the support of various forces, to reach moments of peace. And it is a peace that, even today, is an experience to be shared with the different countries.

The situation in Cabo Delgado, in the north of the country, is unfortunate, but there remains an important point in the message [from the Mozambican president]. It is not enough to repel situations of instability or terrorism based on the use of military equipment; it is also necessary to have social awareness actions to seek an effective understanding of the depth of the causes that lead young people to being predisposed to be seduced by ideas related to terrorist activities.

Source: Deutsche Welle