What You Need to Know
Filipe Nyusi, former President of Mozambique, called for autonomous management of natural resources during the Second Niassa Investment Forum. He emphasized the importance of self-sufficiency and reducing dependency on external aid to achieve economic independence. Nyusi highlighted the need for better management of tourism, minerals, and agriculture in Niassa province to diversify the economy.
Africa-Press – Mozambique. Former President of the Republic Filipe Nyusi has called for autonomous management of natural resources in order to ensure sovereignty over their exploitation, towards achieving economic independence, which he considers a continuous concept and one of the pillars of the current government’s plan.
Speaking on Monday in Lichinga during the Second Niassa Investment Forum 2026, where he was one of the speakers, Filipe Nyusi stressed the importance of everyone’s contribution in ensuring the well-being of Mozambicans.
To this end, according to the former President of Mozambique, it is necessary for Mozambicans to be self-sufficient, which involves producing domestically everything that is consumed in the country, combined with financial autonomy characterised by reducing external aid, as only in this way can the long-sought economic independence be achieved.
Nyusi stressed that if Mozambicans are unable to monitor the exploitation and management of natural resources, they will not be autonomous and will remain dependent on others. He also said it is necessary to take the trade balance into account by exporting more local products. “However, this is only possible by investing more in production,” he said.
Filipe Nyusi also noted that tourism, mineral resources, and wildlife and flora are other potential areas in Niassa province that should be properly managed with a view to diversifying the economy, rather than relying solely on gas or oil exploitation, an area which may become congested and could be depleted at any time.
The Second Niassa Investment Forum, taking place in the city of Lichinga, aims to attract public and private investment and consolidate strategic partnerships for the development of agriculture and agro-processing, boosting the sustainable industrialisation of the province.
Through this event, the aim is to capitalise on the various potentialities of this part of the country, strengthening the province’s image as a privileged destination for agricultural investment.
The meeting was chaired by the Secretary of State for the Sea and Fisheries, Momade Juízo, representing the Prime Minister, Benvinda Levi, and brought together 200 participants, including local and international business actors, financial institutions, development agencies, cooperation partners, and the diplomatic corps, among others.
The Second Niassa Investment Frum was held under the theme “Agriculture and Energy as Drivers of Development in Niassa Province”. Former President Nyusi’s address focused on “Niassa province’s contribution towards Mozambique’s economic independence”
Mozambique has a rich array of natural resources, including minerals and gas, which have been central to its economic development strategies. However, the country has faced challenges in managing these resources effectively, often leading to dependency on foreign investment and aid. The call for autonomy in resource management reflects a growing desire among leaders and citizens alike to ensure that the benefits of these resources directly contribute to national development and economic independence.
