MAPUTO, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Mozambican President Daniel Chapo said Wednesday that the country aims to become a regional energy hub by leveraging its abundant resources to drive industrialization, economic diversification, and regional integration.
Speaking at the Mozambique CEO Summit in the capital, Maputo, Chapo said Mozambique should not simply export energy and raw materials but instead use them to increase production, processing, employment, and competitiveness.
He said the government is combining investment in power generation, transport infrastructure, and development corridors to support industrial growth.
Mozambique plans to develop hydropower projects in the Zambezi Valley, including Cahora Bassa, Mphanda Nkuwa, Lupata, and Boroma, while pursuing universal electricity access by 2030.
Chapo said liquefied natural gas projects in the Rovuma Basin, including Coral Sul and Coral Norte, represent a combined investment of about 50 billion U.S. dollars.
"The abundance of energy in Mozambique creates the ideal foundation to transform the country into a regional energy hub and a regional digital hub," he said, citing opportunities to develop data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The president also highlighted investment in the Nacala, Beira, and Maputo development corridors to improve ports, logistics, and cross-border trade.
He said major projects must create opportunities for local companies, generate jobs, transfer knowledge, benefit communities, and protect the environment.
Chapo also pledged to improve the business environment by simplifying procedures, reducing bureaucracy, fighting corruption, and strengthening public institutions. ■
