DAR ES SALAAM: Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has called on Tanzania and Mozambique to deepen economic cooperation by harnessing their complementary strengths to build regional value chains capable of transforming East and Southern Africa into a globally competitive trade and investment hub.
Speaking at the opening of the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), President Chapo said the two neighbouring countries have significant potential to expand cross-border trade, attract investment and accelerate industrialisation through closer economic integration in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Our economies are more complementary than competitive. The combined potential of Tanzania and Mozambique presents a unique opportunity to strengthen regional value chains, expand trade, attract investment and establish a dynamic economic platform linking East and Southern Africa,” President Chapo said.
He observed that both countries enjoy strategic advantages, including direct access to the Indian Ocean, abundant natural resources, a young and entrepreneurial population and expanding transport corridors that can drive regional and international commerce.
According to President Chapo, this year’s DITF theme reflects Africa’s shared commitment to advancing industrialisation, promoting technological innovation, strengthening logistics networks and facilitating cross-border trade as key pillars of sustainable economic development.
The Mozambican leader linked the growing economic partnership to the longstanding historical ties between the two countries, recalling Tanzania’s role in supporting Mozambique’s liberation struggle under the leadership of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Eduardo Mondlane.
“If our founding leaders secured political freedom, it is now our responsibility to achieve economic freedom by transforming geographical borders into corridors of prosperity,” he said.
President Chapo stressed that stronger cooperation among investment promotion agencies, bilateral institutions and the private sector has created fresh momentum for expanding trade, investment and industrial development between the two countries.
He urged local, regional and international investors to view Tanzania and Mozambique as a single investment destination, citing opportunities in energy, agriculture, agribusiness, mining, tourism, logistics, the blue economy, digital technology and strategic infrastructure.
“The generation of our founders won political independence. Our generation must now secure Africa’s economic independence by turning cooperation into shared prosperity,” he said.
President Chapo also called for closer collaboration among the ports of Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, Pemba, Nacala and Beira, saying they should function as complementary logistics gateways rather than competing for cargo traffic.
He said greater coordination among the ports would reduce transport costs, improve the efficiency of regional supply chains, facilitate cross-border commerce and strengthen East and Southern Africa’s competitiveness in international trade.
President Chapo commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for championing regional economic integration and creating an enabling environment that continues to strengthen commercial and investment relations between Tanzania and Mozambique.
He also invited Tanzanian, regional and international investors to participate in the 56th Maputo International Fair (FACIM) later this year, saying the exhibition will provide another opportunity to forge business partnerships, attract investment and expand trade between the two neighbouring Indian Ocean economies.
The annual Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair is one of East Africa’s premier trade and investment exhibitions, bringing together governments, manufacturers, investors and businesses from across Africa and beyond to promote commerce, investment and regional economic integration.