He was speaking in Nairobi at the opening of the Fourth Kenya International Investment Conference, which is taking place under the theme “Unlocking investment opportunities to drive Kenya’s transformation”.
Chapo said this theme captures “the historical crossroads our continent finds itself at.” He noted that for decades Africa “has been defined by its potential. It is, without a doubt, the continent of the future. But today the challenge of our time is no longer identifying opportunities – it is unlocking them with firm political decisions, patient capital and strategic partnerships that meet African priorities.”
Unlocking opportunities, continued Chapo, means “creating a climate of trust between the public sector, governments and the private sector, with peace, stability, predictability and very clear rules”.
It also meant “structuring viable projects, with technical quality and bankability, and building intelligent partnerships that combine capital, technology and local knowledge”.
By accepting this agenda, Kenya “is positioning itself as one of the main drivers of economic innovation in Africa”, said Chapo.
He added that, with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, “we are building the largest integrated market in the world with a combined GDP of more than 3.4 billion US dollars”.
In the recent past, Africa struggled for its political liberation. “But today we have another historic imperative,” said Chapo, “to invite our brothers from all over the world to the development of our continent.”
What is at stake at the Nairobi forum, he added, “is not just promoting investment opportunities – it is redefining Africa’s role in the global economy”.
Mozambique presented itself as a strategic partner in this continental transformation.
Chapo highlighted that Mozambique has more than 36 million hectares of arable land, of which only 15 percent is currently in use, which creates “unique opportunities for the development of agro-industrial value chains, complementing Kenya’s experience in agricultural innovation and access to markets”.
In the field of renewable energy, he said, “Kenya and Mozambique share a common vision of energy transition. Mozambique has a series of energy assets that make it the energy hub of Southern Africa.”
These assets included a hydroelectric potential of more than 12,000 megawatts and more than 180 billion cubic feet of natural gas reserves. Four large liquefied natural gas projects are underway or planned, with a total investment of between 50 and 60 billion US dollars.
Chapo added that Mozambique has one of the largest known deposits of graphite in the world, a mineral essential for electric batteries.
These assets, he said, not only ensure energy security, but also support the development of new industries.
Unlocking opportunities, Chapo continued, “requires more than resources. It requires trust, reforms and strategic vision.” Mozambique “is committed to creating a competitive investment environment”. This would include “administrative simplification in the public sector” and “greater regulatory predictability”.
“We are working to ensure that investing in Kenya and investing in Mozambique is synonymous with security, predictability and sustainable returns,” declared Chapo.
“Our message to the investors present here is clear,” he added. “Kenya and Mozambique are united, open to investment and prepared for partnerships”.
(AIM)
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