Maputo, Aug. 31, 2026 (Lusa) - The secretary of state for the Economy, João Ferreira, stated on Monday in Maputo that the Portuguese Government intends to launch the €500 million financing facility for investment by Portuguese companies in Mozambique «as soon as possible».
«We are working and doing everything possible to ensure this happens as quickly as possible,» said the secretary of state, when questioned by Lusa during the opening of the 61st edition of the Maputo International Fair (Facim).
«We are working on it. It is an issue being addressed intensively between the two governments, and one that is being monitored by the Portuguese Government. During the Mozambican president's recent visit to Portugal in July, this was a matter agreed upon in his discussions with the prime minister,» he added.
«We hope to get this up and running as soon as possible, whether on a partial or initial basis – a start – but one that reaches the companies,» said João Ferreira.
In an interview with Lusa on 14 July in Maputo, the Mozambican president, Daniel Chapo, acknowledged that the first disbursements from this facility would take place in the second half of the year, highlighting Portugal as the country's «strategic partner».
«We are working towards this, so that during the second half of this year the funds can be disbursed and the projects that have been defined can actually get off the ground,» said Daniel Chapo, in an interview with Lusa before leaving for an official visit to Lisbon, describing current relations between the two countries as «excellent».
On 9 December, in Porto, Portugal and Mozambique signed 22 legal instruments on cooperation during the sixth bilateral summit, including an addendum to the 2022–2026 Strategic Cooperation Programme between the two governments.
The two countries also signed a protocol to make available a €500 million line of credit for guarantees for projects supporting Mozambique's sustainable development, accessible to Portuguese companies operating in the African country.
Chapo went on to say that there is still a «need to take a few more steps» to make the credit line operational, with teams from both countries working to make the funds available.
«We have already submitted the projects to be carried out in Mozambique. As you know, the credit line has a specific objective, which is to finance Portuguese companies that are investing in Mozambique and carrying out projects there; we have now completed this work, submitted the projects and are currently awaiting their approval so that the credit line can actually be put into effect in Mozambique,» he added.
«So far, we are satisfied with the steps taken. It is work that is being carried out and has been done very well,» he also stated at the time.
Depending on how this process unfolds, said Chapo, the possible need to increase the allocation to support Mozambique's development will be assessed.
«As with any other project, there will be a need for assessment and monitoring, so that a decision can be made on that basis. The other extremely important aspect, which both I and Prime Minister Montenegro referred to when the credit line was announced, is the need for payments to be made on time. This is one of the key factors in assessing whether or not an increase is necessary,» he explained.
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