Photo: Presidency
The President of the Republic, Daniel Chapo, met on Saturday in Addis Ababa with renowned American economist Jeffrey Sachs who expressed his willingness to support the acceleration of the country’s economic transformation and projected that Mozambique could become a developed economy within the next two and a half decades.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Conference of Heads of State and Government of the African Union and focused on defining long-term development strategies, emphasising the transformation of natural resource potential into tangible benefits for the population.
During the meeting, Jeffrey Sachs, also a professor at Columbia University and President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, expressed his admiration for the Mozambican government’s vision.
“We had an excellent meeting with His Excellency. I am very excited about his leadership. A large volume of investment is coming to Mozambique, which offers us the opportunity for very rapid economic progress,” Sachs said.
Photo: Presidency
The economist emphasised that the moment requires rigorous technical execution to ensure that foreign investment delivers real benefits to Mozambican citizens.
“That is why I offered any necessary support, any technical assistance that is relevant to work with the President’s team on a strategy that can significantly accelerate development in Mozambique,” he added.
Jeffrey Sachs also shared his optimism regarding the country’s economic future:
“I believe that Mozambique, over the next 25 years, can become a developed economy, with very rapid growth of its Gross Domestic Product. The practical feasibility of this qualitative leap is, at present, within the country’s reach.”
Among the topics discussed, strategic use of revenues from the natural gas sector to strengthen fundamental social pillars, such as education, was highlighted.
“The development of natural gas projects will provide a major boost, but the revenue obtained can also be invested in quality education for all children,” he said, underlining the importance of inclusive and sustainable growth.
Sachs also stressed the need to invest in infrastructure, electrification, and logistics, as well as to create economic corridors that stimulate other productive sectors.
“The construction of infrastructure, the expansion of electrification, and the development of economic corridors are essential to enhance other vital sectors of the economy,” he said.
A key point of the meeting was the potential of the economic corridor with South Africa, considered a strategic opportunity for the development of tourism and other business sectors.
According to the economist, Mozambique’s geographical position favours regional integration and can serve as a lever for growth in the services and hospitality sector.
The meeting in Addis Ababa reinforces a relationship that began in July 2025, when Daniel Chapo and Jeffrey Sachs met in Seville in discussions focused on agriculture, youth, and tourism, within the framework of the presidential strategy to attract foreign direct investment and specialised technical knowledge.
“Mozambique represents a very, very exciting economic prospect. There is much to be done, much to build, but the potential and practical feasibility of rapid development are, at present, within the country’s reach,” Sachs concluded.
Professor of Economics Jeffrey Sachs on US’s economic activity in Africa. #AUSummit2026 #sabanews pic.twitter.com/UjUkNuhbDV
— Sophie Mokoena (@Sophie_Mokoena) February 14, 2026
Recebemos, em Adis Abeba, o Professor Jeffrey Sachs, líder da Rede de Soluções para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável e referência mundial em desenvolvimento sustentável, que manifestou total disponibilidade para apoiar tecnicamente a estratégia de transformação económica de… pic.twitter.com/w3uPpdQGB8
— Presidente Daniel Chapo (@daniel_chapo24) February 14, 2026
Source: AIM Moçambique