Interviews
Interview with Américo Muchanga, Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation, Mozambique
"We know that American companies possess the full range of skills we are looking for. The US leads globally in many of the platforms we hope to deploy, especially in cloud services, where we aim to develop a sovereign cloud. American firms are leaders in this space and we hope they will see Mozambique as a strategic partner. "
01 August, 2025
Interview with Mr. Bernardo Aparício, CEO of Standard Bank Mozambique
"We anticipate that once gas production ramps up in Mozambique, the number of transactions and the need for processing will skyrocket. As the economy grows, so will the demand for processing larger volumes. We're preparing for this by ensuring our systems can adapt to the needs of all our clients, especially the multinationals w
11 July, 2025
Interview with Dr. Alberto Nhantumbo, Administrator of Mozambique Airports
"We're actively seeking partnerships with national and international investors to diversify our revenue streams. One area of opportunity is real estate development, since many of our airports have adjacent land suitable for commercial use."
11 July, 2025
Interview with Dr. Hélder Chabisse, CEO of Petróleos de Moçambique (Petromoc)
"I view Mozambique not as an isolated market but as part of a strategically important region. Mozambique acts as a gateway to Southern Africa, which includes 14 countries and over 200 million people, with an average economic growth rate of 3% to 4%."
11 July, 2025
Interview with Pedro Carvalho, Chief Operating Officer at Absa Bank, Mozambique
"Today, banking in Mozambique and globally cannot be imagined without a strong digital component. At Absa Mozambique, we take pride in offering all our clients, whether individual or business customers, digital channels that allow them to interact with the bank in a convenient, simple, agile and, ideally, cost-effective way. "
11 July, 2025
Interview with Dr. Manuel Gamito, Chairman of Fidelidade Ímpar, Mozambique
"American investors can be confident that our insurance company in Mozambique adheres to international standards, is open to business and acts as both a risk-sharing partner and an advisor. We are committed to further developing the insurance sector and providing security to our clients."
11 July, 2025
Interview with Omar Mitha, Special Economic Advisor to the Presidency of the Republic, Chairman of Banco Nacional de Investimentos (BNI), Mozambique
"If you have an investor with a global eye, he might say I will get lithium from Zimbabwe, graphite from Mozambique, copper from Zambia and maybe I can locate this industry in Mozambique because that's where you've got the power and you've got the railways. This would be a golden opportunity to display this regional view that wi
11 July, 2025
Interview with Gonçalo Ferro, General Manager, Hotel Cardoso, Mozambique
"If you’re planning to invest in Mozambique, it's a country where whatever you think you can do can be done because the land is so fertile. If you’re planning to do that on a corporate site, you must stay at the Cardoso Hotel, which is the best hotel in town."
11 July, 2025
Interview with George Mandawa, Executive Board Member, Banco Comercial e de Investimentos (BCI), Mozambique
"Today, security is a fundamental issue in the international context. Unique biometric data, such as retina scans, face IDs and fingerprints, is increasingly being applied worldwide and is already implemented in our app. For example, our internet banking can now be accessed through these biometric methods on smartphones."
11 July, 2025
Interview with Noor Momade, Cotur, Mozambique
"Gaining people’s trust is essential. By being honest, we not only build a strong reputation and maintain our good name but also earn the trust of our clients. A satisfied customer is likely to return and bring others with them. This is a key focus for us, and we pay great attention to it."
10 July, 2025
Interview with Dr. Retšelisitsoe A. Matlanyane, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Lesotho
"Lesotho currently produces half of its electricity needs primarily from renewable sources like hydro and solar. We think we can do more than what we need so that we can become a net exporter of renewable energy."
30 May, 2025
Interview with His Majesty King Letsie III, Lesotho
"It is our goal to maintain a positive and cooperative relationship with the United States, regardless of which administration is in power, because we have seen the tremendous benefits such a partnership can bring. "
28 May, 2025
Interview with Mohlomi Moleko, Minister of Natural Resources, Lesotho
“Despite its size, Lesotho offers significant opportunities in critical minerals and hydrogen manufacturing, supported by its abundant water resources.”
28 May, 2025
Interview with Michael Atingi-Ego, Governor of the Central Bank of Uganda
"We will support innovation alongside strong risk management, as both are essential in financial markets. Our goal is to boost investor confidence by ensuring timely payments, stable exchange rates and competitive interest rates."
27 May, 2025
Interview with Sam Matekane, Prime Minister of Lesotho
"The US has been a key partner to Lesotho and we are committed to strengthening this partnership. Lesotho views AGOA as a key driver for both the US and Lesotho’s prosperity."
26 May, 2025
Interview with Paul Mashatile, Deputy President of South Africa
"We have made room for the private sector, which we view as a crucial partner. In areas like energy, infrastructure and skills development, private sector participation is key."
26 May, 2025
Interview with Barbara Creecy, Minister of Transport, South Africa
"Integrating rail and port infrastructure is vital for growth. For example, Saldanha Bay lies at the end of the important Sishen-Saldanha mineral export corridor, which primarily carries manganese and iron ore. Historically, Saldanha was a steel-producing hub. With the green hydrogen roadmap, it could become a center for green s
26 May, 2025
Interview with Andrew Whitfield, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperation, South Africa
"South Africa, as the most industrialized country on the continent, serves as a gateway to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). With a young population of 1.8 billion, Africa offers immense opportunities. The DTIC is focused on helping investors in South Africa access these markets and unlock their potential."
26 May, 2025
Interview with James Mckay, Energy Council, South Africa
"South Africa has turned a significant corner, with rapid positive momentum across its economy, politics, and society. (..)This is a pivotal moment for investors—opportunities are opening quickly, and they won’t last long. Those ready to take a leap of faith will find South Africa positioned for promising growth."
26 May, 2025
Interview with Adrian Gore, CEO of Discovery Ltd, South Africa
"I'm optimistic because the country is resilient, with great potential in its people and assets. Despite its apartheid past, there is strong goodwill and with the right leadership, it can be harnessed. The country is underpriced and underinvested due to its narrative, but as we turn the flywheel, its potential is clear."
26 May, 2025
Interview with Cas Coovadia, CEO of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA)
"We want to move beyond development-focused investment and shift towards real business and job-creating investments in Africa and South Africa…We hope the U.S. maintains its focus on Africa and prioritizes real investment that creates businesses and jobs, rather than development aid."
26 May, 2025
Interview with Martin Kingston, CEO of B4SA, South Africa
"South Africa excels in sectors like financial services, boasting a sophisticated banking, insurance and fund management system admired worldwide for its efficiency and integrity, often surpassing OECD countries. However, there is untapped potential in areas like tourism, a major foreign exchange earner and job creator."
26 May, 2025
Interview with Onório Manuel, President of the Mozambique-US Chamber of Commerce (CCMUSA)
"Mozambique has unique strengths, like its 1,600 mile coastline, which makes it a strategic hub for investors. Our natural resources, including hydrocarbons, solid minerals and over 36 million acres of arable land, offer great potential to be turned into value-added goods."
22 August, 2024
Interview with Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Djibouti
"Djibouti has attracted numerous security partners not just due to its geographical location, but also due to globalization, the digital revolution, global trade, and new technologies."
05 July, 2024
Interview with Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti
Business Focus: The United States and Djibouti have collaborated closely for 21 years, particularly in security matters. How has this cooperation in security strengthened the relationship with the US, especially in the economic realm? It is true that successful cooperation between countries in the...
06 June, 2024
Interview with H. E. Mateus Magala, Minister of Transport and Communications, Mozambique
"We welcome American investment across various fronts. Opportunities abound in electricity generation, transportation, distribution, and renewable energies such as solar and wind power. Leveraging the extensive expertise accumulated by the United States in these areas will undoubtedly benefit our nation's development."
19 April, 2024
Interview with H.E. Carlos Joaquim Zacarias, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mozambique
"Ensuring viability and sustainability forms the cornerstone of our approach. We prioritize initiatives that uphold environmental integrity and ensure the safety of all individuals involved. "
19 April, 2024
Interview with H.E. Chibamba Kanyama, Ambassador Embassy of the Republic of Zambia
"We seek to leverage our relationship with the US being a solid and biggest economy in the world, and having it to invest in Zambia."
05 December, 2023
Interview with Florie Liser, President and CEO of Corporate Council on Africa
“African markets offer significant potential, and it's crucial to recognize that no major global issue can be effectively addressed without involving Africa.”
04 September, 2023
Interview with Patrice Talon, President of Benin
“We cannot continue each time to hide ourselves behind our unhappy past and say that it is because of this that we will be eternally poor, begging charity from other countries and continents.”
06 July, 2023
Interview with Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of Botswana
“No country in the world beats Botswana with the issue of providence. That's a value that we've added to our diamonds as a country single-handedly.”
04 July, 2023
Interview with Dr. the Honourable Renganaden Padayachy, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Republic of Mauritius
Q: “Deciphering Africa: Present and future Objectives, Needs and Opportunities” from the vision of the continent’s most important leaders is an ambitious project that wants to portray the leaders whose visions are shaping the present and future of their countries. We believe Africa’s voice...
12 April, 2023
Interview with Mário João, Minister of Economy & Planning, Republic of Angola
“Angola is in the process of changing its paradigm to being a direct state, to help stop corruption in the country, making everyone equal in the eyes of the law.”
24 February, 2023
Interview with Ali Seddiki, Managing Director of the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development
“Morocco has transformed itself into a low-carbon manufacturing platform that is among the most competitive locations for exporting to Europe, America and Africa.”
22 February, 2023
Interview with Mamadou Kiari Liman-Tinguiri, Ambassador of the Republic of Niger to the US
“The US is Niger’s biggest partner, we are happy with our partnership and we expect it to continue and grow.”
16 February, 2023
Interview with H.E. Tom Alweendo, Minister of Mines and Energy, Namibia
“Since last year we have been promoting the production of green hydrogen.”
16 February, 2023
