Mozambique Strengthens its Ties with Qatar: A New Chapter in Trade, Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Tourism

Published on November 20, 2025

Mozambique is making strong efforts to enhance its collaboration with Qatar, especially in areas of trade, agriculture, renewable energy, and tourism. In an exclusive interview with The Peninsula, H E Isac Mamudo Massamby, the Ambassador of Mozambique to Qatar, reaffirmed his country’s pledge to strengthen cooperation with the Gulf nation, highlighting the role of Qatar as a strategic partner in the region.

A New Phase in Diplomatic Relations

The relationship between Mozambique and Qatar, which began in 1994, entered a new phase with the establishment of the Mozambican Embassy in Doha in November 2021. Ambassador Massamby emphasized that the embassy represents a renewed effort to deepen relations, particularly with a country that plays a pivotal role in the Gulf and the broader Middle East.

“Mozambique and Qatar have enjoyed cordial relations for over three decades. We decided to open our embassy in Doha in 2021 because we view Qatar as a strategic partner in this region,” Ambassador Massamby explained. “Qatar shares with us many principles in diplomacy, peace, and development, and it is a gateway to the Gulf and the Middle East.”

Promoting Mozambique in Qatar

As the first resident ambassador of Mozambique to Qatar, Ambassador Massamby has focused on enhancing Mozambique’s visibility and attractiveness to Qatari investors and tourists. “Our goal is to make Mozambique better known among our Qatari brothers and sisters,” he said, highlighting the embassy’s efforts to promote Mozambique’s culture, economy, and tourism. The embassy has been proactive in fostering business partnerships and attracting investment opportunities to Mozambique.

The Tourism Impact: A Gateway for Qatari Visitors

Tourism is a significant pillar of Mozambique’s development agenda, and Ambassador Massamby is focused on increasing Qatari tourism to the country. “The government considers tourism a key pillar of our national growth agenda, second only to agriculture,” he stated. Mozambique is home to pristine beaches, scenic islands, and exciting safari destinations, all of which are part of the country’s unique appeal to international visitors, especially those from the Gulf region.

For Qatari tourists, Mozambique is emerging as one of Africa’s best-kept secrets, offering a range of travel experiences that appeal to both adventure seekers and luxury travelers. The government’s focus on tourism infrastructure development, combined with attractive incentives such as tax exemptions, profit repatriation, and employment flexibility for skilled foreign staff, is designed to encourage Qatari investments in tourism ventures.

Ambassador Massamby pointed out that Mozambique has been actively promoting its tourism potential at regional and international platforms, participating in travel exhibitions to showcase the country as a preferred destination. The country is positioning itself as an ideal leisure and business tourism hub for Qatari nationals looking to explore new destinations in Africa.

Economic and Tourism Synergies

While trade volumes remain relatively modest, with Mozambique importing more from Qatar than it exports, tourism stands as a key area where the two countries can make substantial progress. Mozambique offers immense potential for tourism growth by tapping into Qatar’s growing travel market, which seeks new and diverse destinations for luxury tourism and adventure travel.

For Mozambique, increasing Qatari tourist arrivals would significantly boost its tourism revenue and create jobs in hospitality, transportation, and local services. This aligns with the government’s broader goal of fostering sustainable economic growth through tourism, which has already proven to be a key economic driver in other African nations. Additionally, the tourism sector could see increased interest from Qatari investors looking to fund luxury resorts, tourism infrastructure, and eco-friendly projects, further contributing to the country’s economic development.

Fostering Trade in Agriculture and Energy with Tourism

The emphasis on agriculture, renewable energy, and tourism as key pillars for Mozambique’s economic growth has a direct impact on the country’s tourism sector. Ambassador Massamby highlighted Mozambique’s fertile land for agricultural investments, suggesting that Qatari firms can benefit from growing food products not only for local markets but also for regional exports. The agriculture sector can further benefit from tourism, as increased agricultural production can provide local goods for the hospitality industry, creating a positive feedback loop that supports both sectors.

In the energy sector, Mozambique’s natural gas exports provide an opportunity to partner with Qatar’s LNG sector expertise, which could translate into sustainable energy solutions for tourism infrastructure, supporting eco-tourism and green energy initiatives in the region. With sustainable tourism becoming an increasingly important trend, Mozambique’s ability to develop energy-efficient resorts and eco-friendly attractions will attract Qatari investors looking to align with global sustainability goals.

Mozambique’s Historical Ties to the Arab World

Not surprisingly, Ambassador Massamby also presented some illuminating Arab connections with Mozambique from times previous to Portuguese colonization. “The name Mozambique comes from ‘Musa bin Bik,’ an Arab sheikh who established trade routes along the East African coast in the 15th century,” he said, underlining in particular the deep roots of the relationship between the Arab world and Mozambique.

In fact, this rich historical backdrop provides a very firm foundation for the growing relationship between Mozambique and Qatar, and it is clear that the future holds significant promise for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between the two nations.