by Martina Esposito

At the center of the meeting were Mozambique’s strategic role within the Mattei Plan, the push toward economic independence, and the desire to create new partnerships in the fields of energy, agriculture, and digital transition.

“There can be no peace without development.” With these words, Daniel Francisco Chapo, President of the Republic of Mozambique, opened the roundtable with Italian companies at the Westin Excelsior in Rome. During his official visit to Italy, Chapo presided over the Mozambique–Italy Business Breakfast, a closed-door meeting between institutions and the business community aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two countries. Participants included Mozambique’s Minister of Economy, Basílio Zefanias Muhate; Italy’s Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Giorgio Silli; the President of the Mozambique–Italy Chamber of Commerce, Simone Santi; and the Vice President of Confindustria, Barbara Cimmino.

“Right here in Rome, Mozambique regained lasting peace after sixteen years of civil war. The Italian capital hosted a long and courageous negotiation process among Mozambicans, and since then it has become a symbol of reconciliation and national rebirth,” Chapo said in his speech, focused on the path the country is taking—the path toward economic independence. “Today,” he continued, “speaking about the future in this setting means carrying on that history: a history of friendship with Italy, which has always believed in our journey.”

In view of development centered on fiscal responsibility, enhancement of strategic projects, and a private-sector-driven economy, Chapo emphasized the country’s need for strategic partnerships—and Italy, in this respect, stands out as a key interlocutor. “Rome,” he concluded, “is where Italy helped us secure peace; today, from here, begins our new history of national unity and development.”

This vision is shared by Italian institutions, which see Mozambique as a partner for mutual growth. “Today’s meeting is tangible proof of how strategic we consider the strengthening of our partnership with Mozambique, the first country included in the Mattei Plan,” Undersecretary Silli stated. “We are working to finalize a new framework agreement aimed at supporting inclusive and mutually beneficial growth,” he added.

Beyond energy, expanding cooperation into additional productive sectors is increasingly urgent. “Mozambique must become a strategic hub for the entire region, and our production system is ready to contribute. A particularly important sector is agriculture: the development of agro-industry and the training of young farmers are key themes,” Silli noted. He also recalled that, as Italy’s cuisine was recently recognized as UNESCO heritage, Italy itself transformed its subsistence agriculture into an advanced agro-industry.

“We must think of future generations,” said Barbara Cimmino, Vice President of Confindustria. “The 211 associations and 150,000 companies represented by Confindustria can actively collaborate with Mozambique. In this transformation process, we speak of a triple transition—ecological, energy, and digital. The latter is essential: a country that aspires to industrial independence must necessarily invest in digitalization.” Chapo himself highlighted Mozambique’s ambition to become a true “Silicon Valley” of the region.

Among the key issues discussed were the benefits of the Mattei Plan, the new sectors in which to expand cooperation—beyond energy—capacity building, and the indispensable role of digitalization in any national development plan. In short, a perspective of exchange between the two countries, marked by a friendship that began with Mozambique’s independence in 1975 and was further strengthened by the Rome Accords in the 1990s.

The event was organized by the Embassy of Mozambique in Rome and the Mozambique–Italy Chamber of Commerce (CCMI), in collaboration with Assafrica, Confindustria, and Assocamerestero. It brought together more than 26 leaders of Italian companies, along with senior government representatives from both countries, representing a turnover of €129 billion in 2024.

(Associated Medias) – All rights reserved

L’articolo Mozambique and Italy, a Bridge for Development: Chapo Relaunches Economic Cooperation in Rome proviene da Associated Medias.