The African Development Bank (AfDB) on Wednesday called for stronger risk-mitigation mechanisms linked to infrastructure investment in order to attract greater private sector participation and reduce Mozambique's dependence on state financing.

The position was presented by AfDB lead economist in Mozambique, Flávio Soares da Gama, during the inaugural edition of the Mozambique Transport and Logistics Investment Forum and Exhibition (TRANS-LOG MOZ 2026). In his remarks, Soares da Gama explained that investment viability depends on three pillars: robust project preparation, adequate risk allocation, and the use of financing mechanisms capable of mobilising private resources.

According to Soares da Gama, one of the core requirements for attracting investors is ensuring that projects are properly prepared, including technical, financial, and environmental studies that allow their viability to be assessed. "We need feasibility studies, we need engineering studies," he said, adding that in the case of concessions and public-private partnerships, a clear roadmap for project development must be in place.

The economist also highlighted the importance of financial instruments designed to protect investors against risks that could jeopardise investment execution, pointing to the partial risk guarantee as one of the mechanisms made available by the AfDB. "This protects investors in situations of default, policy risks, or risks related to regulatory non-compliance, among others," he explained.

Soares da Gama further noted the existence of partial credit guarantee instruments aimed at mitigating payment obligation default risks. Alongside these mechanisms, the AfDB advocates the use of blended finance and co-financing models that bring together resources from different institutions and partners to support the execution of structuring projects.

Soares da Gama cited the Nacala project, in its third phase, as an example of the combination of financial instruments and the participation of multiple partners, highlighting contributions from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Mozambican government, and the AfDB.

The economist stressed that the AfDB's role extends beyond direct financing to encompass project preparation. "The bank not only provides financing, but also helps mobilise resources from various partners using these instruments," he said.

The remarks were delivered during the panel titled 'Gateway Mozambique: Bankable Opportunities in Ports, Maritime Transport and Corridors', moderated by Pedro Couto of Couto Graça e Associados. Other panellists included Mónica Temporário, president of Women in Logistics Mozambique (WILA) and commercial director of Civitas Partners Group; Onório Manuel, executive director of MozParks; and Mohammed Mesbahi, business development director of Tanger Med Engineering, from Morocco.

About the event

The inaugural edition of TRANS-LOG MOZ 2026 is taking place on 4 and 5 November at the Joaquim Chissano International Conference Centre in Maputo, bringing together government officials from Southern African countries, domestic and international investors, financial institutions, business leaders, and sector operators. The event promotes debate on investment opportunities, the modernisation of ports, roads and railways, infrastructure financing, and the removal of trade barriers, with the aim of strengthening Mozambique's competitiveness and regional economic integration.