Chapo calls for regional value chains to drive growth

DAR ES SALAAM: MOZAMBICAN President Daniel Chapo has called on Tanzania and Mozambique to leverage their complementary economies to transform East and Southern Africa into a competitive regional economic hub.

Addressing the opening of the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), President Chapo said the two countries have enormous potential to strengthen regional value chains, expand cross-border trade and attract investment as they deepen economic integration in line with Africa’s industrialisation agenda.

“Our economies are more complementary than competitive. The combination of the potential of Tanzania and Mozambique offers a unique opportunity to strengthen regional value chains, expand trade, attract investment and build a dynamic economic platform linking East and Southern Africa,” he said.

President Chapo noted that both countries enjoy strategic access to the Indian Ocean, abundant natural resources, a youthful entrepreneurial population and transport corridors capable of accelerating regional and international trade.

He said this year’s DITF theme reflects Africa’s shared ambition to promote industrial transformation, technological innovation, logistics connectivity and cross-border trade as key drivers of sustainable economic growth.

The Mozambican leader linked the growing economic partnership to the historic friendship between the two nations, recalling Tanzania’s support for Mozambique’s liberation struggle under the leadership of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Eduardo Mondlane.

“If our founding leaders secured political freedom, it is now our responsibility to achieve economic freedom by transforming geographical borders into corridors of prosperity,” he said.

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President Chapo said stronger cooperation among investment promotion agencies, bilateral institutions and the private sector has created fresh momentum for trade and investment. He urged investors to view Tanzania and Mozambique as a single investment destination, highlighting opportunities in energy, agriculture, agribusiness, mining, tourism, logistics, the blue economy, digital technology and infrastructure.

“The generation of our founders won political independence. Our generation must win Africa’s economic independence by transforming cooperation into shared prosperity,” he said.

President Chapo also called for closer coordination among the ports of Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, Pemba, Nacala and Beira, saying they should operate as complementary logistics hubs rather than competitors.

“Together they can reduce transport costs, strengthen regional supply chains and position East and Southern Africa as a competitive player in global trade,” he said.

He commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for championing regional economic integration and invited Tanzanian and international investors to participate in the 56th Maputo International Fair (FACIM) later this year to strengthen business partnerships between the two countries.

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