Italy and the government of Inhambane province are identifying opportunities for economic cooperation and investment in tourism and agriculture. The two sectors were discussed at a meeting between Italian Ambassador to Mozambique Gabriele Annis and provincial governor Francisco Pagula, held on 20 October.

During the meeting, Pagula invited the diplomat to participate in a Tourism Conference, presenting it as an opportunity to showcase the province’s potential and establish contacts with companies and investors.

The visit also included a stop at the Inhambane Exhibition Centre (CEXPO), a facility dedicated to promoting the province’s resources and business opportunities. The information was reported by MZNews.

The meeting forms part of an ongoing dialogue between provincial authorities and Italian partners aimed at strengthening cooperation in productive sectors. However, no concrete projects, investment figures, or implementation timelines have been identified from the available information.

Tourism and agriculture are among the stated priorities of Italian cooperation with Mozambique. In an interview with Diário Económico published in October 2025, Annis highlighted these areas alongside energy, renewable energy, and the environment, within the framework of the Mattei Plan for Africa, which lists Mozambique among its priority countries.

In the same interview, the ambassador pointed to improvements in infrastructure, air transport, and the business environment as important conditions for attracting Italian companies to the tourism sector. He advocated a parallel approach: generating investor interest while the country develops the conditions needed to bring projects to fruition.

The engagement with Inhambane comes amid a broader strengthening of bilateral economic relations. According to data presented by Annis and published by the Italian news agency ANSA in June 2026, trade between Mozambique and Italy exceeded €424 million in the first eight months of 2025, representing growth of more than 20%.

The ambassador also indicated that Italian direct investment was approaching €200 million, spanning a partnership that covers energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and digital transformation.

Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=554466