Joanna Kuenssberg, British High Commissioner in Mozambique, discusses ties between the UK and Mozambique. She also highlights Mozambique’s investment appeal.
European Times: How would you describe relations between the UK and Mozambique?
Joanna Kuenssberg: The UK is a longstanding partner of Mozambique, supporting its political, economic and social development, to the tune of more than €1 billion over the past decade. The UK has made a conscious move to develop deeper economic and commercial relations with what has been the fastest-growing non-oil-based economy in Southern Africa over the past 15 years through our bilateral High-Level Prosperity Partnership HLPP (the other four HLPP countries are Tanzania, Ghana, Angola and Côte d’Ivoire). Financial services, the extractive industries, agriculture and the business environment are the four pillars of the UK-Mozambique HLPP.
European Times: What about business links?
Joanna Kuenssberg: We have just launched the British Business Club of Mozambique and it already has more than 40 British member companies from a very wide range of sectors. We also receive many enquiries from potential investors, and we have hosted two trade missions in the oil and gas sector this year.
European Times: Why should international investors target Mozambique?
Joanna Kuenssberg: Mozambique’s many investment attractions include its geographic location with access to East Asia via the Indian Ocean, extensive uncultivated agricultural land, vast natural resources, and great tourism potential. Significant investment is needed to make the most of these advantages. In addition to investment, the UK could bring education and expertise to Mozambique.
European Times: What are the main challenges businesses in Mozambique faces?
Joanna Kuenssberg: The main national challenge is to reduce poverty. To help to do this, Mozambique needs to attract investment in all sectors to make the stellar levels of economic growth more inclusive and create more jobs. Business environment challenges include the supply of skilled labour, weak infrastructure, gender inequality, access to finance, and reducing bureaucracy to boost transparency and legal certainty for investors, for example by streamlining the process of obtaining work permits for foreigners.
European Times: What is your advice to potential investors?
Joanna Kuenssberg: Our advice for new investors is to make clear from day one that you have a clear, long-term education and skills investment plan. Even if the business model requires foreign expertise, it is important to have a plan to train the local workforce to earn more credibility from the local government. Mozambique is currently experiencing political and social transition and offers huge investment potential, from infrastructure to human development, health, education, services and agriculture. There are still challenges, but the people of Mozambique are ready to make the most of their country’s many opportunities. Patient committed investors are vital to help them to do this.
