PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA RECEIVES PRESIDENT CHAPO OF MOZAMBIQUE

President Cyril Ramaphosa today welcomed His Excellency President Daniel Chapo of the Republic of Mozambique for a high-level bilateral meeting at Genadendal, his official residence in Cape Town. The meeting marks President Chapo’s first official visit to South Africa since his recent inauguration.

The visit underscores the longstanding partnership between South Africa and Mozambique, two neighboring nations with deep historical, economic, and cultural ties. Discussions between the two leaders centered on enhancing cooperation across political, diplomatic, and economic spheres, as well as strengthening state institutions.

President Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of deepening relations between the two countries, particularly in fostering economic development and ensuring regional stability. He reaffirmed his commitment, as outlined in the 2025 State of the Nation Address, to leveraging international relations to bolster South Africa’s economic resilience and promote global partnerships.

"We came together to continue strengthening the bonds between our two countries and in many ways how we can turn a new page of cooperation at a political, diplomatic, and economic level," President Ramaphosa stated. "We also discussed how to entrench political stability in Mozambique following the elections and create a conducive environment for businesses to operate in both countries."

Economic collaboration was a key focus of the discussions. With South African companies having invested between R155 billion and R175 billion in Mozambique, generating over 42,000 job opportunities, both leaders expressed a commitment to further expanding business and trade relations. The recent establishment of the South African Chamber of Commerce in Mozambique aims to promote investment and strengthen economic ties between the two nations.

Mozambique remains a crucial partner in South Africa’s energy security strategy, further highlighting the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship. President Chapo acknowledged South Africa’s support and detailed ongoing political initiatives in Mozambique, particularly efforts to engage the opposition in discussions on electoral laws and governance.

"We are here to explain that our situation in Mozambique is good and now we are working," President Chapo stated. "Tomorrow, we will meet with the opposition to sign an agreement on talks we are going to have about the many issues impacting our country, including discussions on our electoral laws. We are also here to talk about how we can grow our economy."

This meeting reflects the shared commitment of both nations to regional stability, economic growth, and diplomatic collaboration, reinforcing the historical bonds that unite South Africa and Mozambique. The discussions are expected to yield further agreements in trade, investment, and political cooperation in the coming months.