Mozambique: Chapo seeks stronger economic ties with Russia and increased investment

Mozambican President Daniel Chapo yesterday called for stronger economic and trade relations between Mozambique and Russia, saying the two countries’ historic political cooperation should translate into more investment and development opportunities.

“We must always remain united, our countries, our brotherly peoples. We are here once again to further strengthen our historic relations of friendship and cooperation,” the Mozambican head of state said during a working visit to Russia.

Chapo was speaking to the press after a meeting with Russian Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, on the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa Summit.

The Mozambican president added that the aim now was to expand cooperation into new areas: “Expanding it mainly into economic and trade relations.”

Met with President of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo to discuss inter-party dialogue and bilateral relations. Mozambique is a trusted, time-tested partner of Russia in Africa. Our countries share strong bonds of friendship and cooperation. https://t.co/dbIrAGbFtT

— Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) October 26, 2026

Meeting with Mozambican community

Also on Monday, Chapo attended a meeting with the Mozambican community living in Russia, made up mostly of students, where he highlighted the diaspora’s contribution to national development.

“For us, as a government, the diaspora is part of Mozambique’s development,” he said.

The president noted that the government had created, for the first time, a State Secretariat for Foreign Affairs and Mozambican Communities Abroad, advocating closer ties between the State and citizens living outside the country.

During his address, he recalled Soviet support for the national liberation struggle and the training of Mozambican personnel in defence, education, health and agriculture.

“Cooperation between Russia and Mozambique is not new. It is cooperation that dates back to the national liberation struggle,” he said.

According to the head of state, the current phase of bilateral relations should prioritise sectors such as energy, agriculture, education, science, technology and technical and vocational training.

Chapo also said Mozambique intended to benefit from Russia’s experience in the natural gas sector, at a time when the country was seeking to increase production and exports of the resource.

“Political and diplomatic cooperation is excellent, but we believe that economic and trade cooperation, particularly attracting investment, is the main objective of our visit,” he said.

The president also announced that the government intended to strengthen support for Mozambican students in Russia, with plans to assign dedicated personnel to this task at the Mozambican embassy in Moscow.

According to Chapo, the increase in scholarships provided by Russia could bring the number of Mozambican students in the country to more than 500.

At the meeting, students raised concerns about scholarships, document renewals, financial transfers and professional opportunities after completing their academic training.

The head of state assured them that the government was assessing technological solutions to facilitate the issuance and renewal of identity documents abroad and promised to continue working to improve conditions for Mozambican students in Russia.

Mozambique and Russia have maintained diplomatic relations since Mozambique’s independence, proclaimed in 1975.

Over the past decades, thousands of Mozambicans have received training at Soviet and Russian institutions, particularly in defence, engineering, medicine, education and science.

The two countries are currently seeking to strengthen economic cooperation, particularly in the energy, mining, agriculture and human resources training sectors.

Photo: Presidência da República de Moçambique

Os estudantes moçambicanos na Rússia vão ter um responsável na Embaixada para acompanhar as suas necessidades e poderão renovar documentos sem viajar a Moçambique, anunciou o PR Daniel Chapo, em Moscovo. 📷Presidência da República #PresidenciaMZ https://t.co/weCvWxfXH1

— Presidência da República de Moçambique (@PresidenciaMoz) October 26, 2026

O PR Daniel Chapo defendeu, em Moscovo, a expansão das relações económicas e comerciais entre Moçambique e a Rússia, no fim de um encontro com Dmitri Medvedev. “Temos de continuar sempre unidos”, disse. 📷Presidência da República #PresidenciaMZ #DanielChapo https://t.co/kxDp1u9k9F

— Presidência da República de Moçambique (@PresidenciaMoz) October 26, 2026