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Mozambique and Russia have maintained close political and diplomatic ties for decades, President Daniel Francisco Chapo has said, highlighting the longstanding partnership between the two nations.
Speaking during his visit to Moscow for the third Russia-Africa Summit, Chapo noted the relationship dates back to Mozambique’s struggle for independence, when Moscow provided military and security assistance. He stressed that cooperation in these areas continues today.
“Mozambique and Russia already enjoy excellent political and diplomatic relations,” the president said.
Chapo said his visit to Russia was intended to strengthen economic cooperation and attract new investment, building on the countries’ established political ties. He noted that bilateral trade has increased but that considerable room remains for further growth.
The president identified agriculture, industry, mineral resources, energy, digital transformation, tourism, transport, and logistics among the sectors where Mozambique hopes to attract Russian companies.
Mozambique is also seeking Russian partners to develop gas pipelines, power plants, and fertilizer production facilities, Chapo said, adding that the countries are “working together to find solutions and develop these projects.”
Security cooperation in bilateral affairs features prominently in the relationship. Chapo said Mozambican military and law enforcement cadets are currently receiving training at Russian academies. The president also confirmed that Mozambique is discussing possible cooperation with Russia to address terrorism in the African state. He pointed to Moscow’s counterterrorism experience and said the two sides are exploring potential solutions through their existing security partnership.
Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province has faced an insurgency by Islamic State-linked militants since 2017. The violence has killed thousands and displaced more than a million people, prompting the deployment of Rwandan troops in 2021 to support government forces.
Russia and Mozambique signed a memorandum on road construction, maintenance, and toll-road management during the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow on October 28. According to Russia’s Transport Ministry, the two countries also discussed establishing a direct shipping route and involving Russian companies in railway projects.
Mozambique’s economy remains heavily reliant on natural resources, with extractive industries driving growth. Agriculture, which employs over 72% of the population. Mozambique’s exports are dominated by large projects in the extractive sector (coal, gas, rubies, and heavy sands), accounting for 60% of overall exports. Overall, the main manufacturing products in Mozambique include wheat flour; food; beverages; aluminium; petroleum products; textiles; cement; glass; and tobacco.
Mozambique is a member of the African Continental Free commerce Area (AfCFTA), which provides free trade on 95% on all African goods transported across the continent. Mozambique is also a member of the Southern African Development Community, with whom Russia signed a cooperation and development agreement last week.
Mozambique has a population of 34 million and a GDP (PPP) of US$46 billion. GDP per capita (PPP) is US$ 2,383. Mozambique’s real GDP growth for 2026 is projected to be between 0.5% and 2.1%. This slow growth is due to severe floods, the shutdown of the MOZAL aluminium smelter, and impacts on farming. Future growth relies heavily on natural gas projects, an area where Russia can be of development assistance.
Mozambique took part in Russia’s ‘Great African Expedition’ designed to assess fish stocks on its Indian Ocean coastline, with a view to developing maritime and fish processing joint ventures. During the 2026 Russia-Africa summit plenary session, President Chapo invited Russian investors to collaborate in mechanized agriculture and industry, energy, infrastructure, and transport logistics, as well as the blue economy and digital transformation.
Mozambique’s trade with Russia is about US$160 million, and according to President Putin, speaking during the 2026 Russia-Africa summit, it has doubled during 8M 2026. Trade is mostly agriculture-based, with Russia exporting wheat and fertilizers and Mozambique exporting tea. Both countries are aiming to increase commerce and tourism through new infrastructure and transport agreements.
