By Samuel Njoroje
Beira, Mozambique – Prime Minister Benvinda Levi officially launched Mozambique’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on Saturday, marking a significant step towards boosting the nation’s trade and industrial development. The launch ceremony, held in the key port city of Beira, signals Mozambique’s commitment to deeper integration within the African economy.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Levi highlighted the existing trade relationship between Mozambique and other African nations, noting that it had reached $7.1 billion USD over the past five years. She urged the private sector to seize the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA and invest in industrial development and crucial infrastructure projects under the government’s “Industrialize Mozambique” initiative.
According to the Prime Minister, the AfCFTA provides a vital platform for forging strategic partnerships and stimulating economic and business activities for the private sector within the continent. The state news agency AIM quoted Levi as saying that the ambitious free trade area holds immense promise for Mozambique.
“This market, beyond accelerating the establishment of an integrated African public-private dialogue model, also holds the potential to increase Mozambique’s trade with the rest of the African continent,” she stated.
While Mozambique became a signatory to the AfCFTA framework in 2018, the nation’s full participation was contingent on the approval of its tariff offer. After submitting the proposal in 2024, the African Union heads of state and government formally approved it in February 2025. This approval paved the way for Mozambique to engage in trade with approximately 47 other African countries under the AfCFTA agreement.
The launch marks a crucial moment for Mozambique as it aims to diversify its economy, attract investment, and create new opportunities for its citizens within the wider African market. The government is optimistic that the AfCFTA will contribute significantly to the nation’s long-term economic growth and prosperity.
