India-Mozambique Commercial Relations

Overview 

Bilateral commercial relations between India and Mozambique have steadily enhanced in recent years. The presence of Indian companies in Mozambique has increased to now number over 50. Indian investments in Mozambique are valued approximately at USD 10 billion. There has been perceptible increase in interest among Indian companies about Mozambique and consequently, the numbers of business visits from India to Mozambique have grown.

Economic Relations

In recent years, India-Mozambique economic relations have steadily deepened and expanded mainly through greater involvement of Indian companies that have invested heavily in the energy resources of Mozambique. The most important investments have been in the natural gas and coal industries. In 2014, two Indian Public Sector Companies, ONGC Videsh Ltd. and Oil India Ltd. completed the acquisition of 20% stake in Area 1 of the Rovuma gas block of Mozambique, at a cost of over USD 5 billion. This was in addition to 10% already held by another Indian PSU, BPRL since 2008, thus making India, the biggest investor in the Rovuma Area-1 gas project that is being operated by the French petroleum giant, TOTAL Energies that has 26.5% stakes in the project. The other foreign investors are Mitsui (20%), Thai company PTTEP (8.5%) and Mozambican company (ENH) (15%).

In the coal mining sector, in July 2014, International Coal Ventures Private Ltd, a consortium of five Indian PSUs (SAIL, NMDC, RISL, CIL and NTPC) purchased a 65% stake in the coal assets sold by Rio Tinto. Vulcan, a fully owned subsidiary of the Jindal Group, acquired the Moatize coal mining asset and the 920-km Nacala Logistical Corridor from the Brazilian mining giant, Vale, in December 2021 for a cumulative investment of USD 270 million. The acquired coal mine has an annual coal production capacity of 22 million tonnes, although Vale was producing 18 million tonnes of coal per year.  There are also a few Indian companies involved in mining of rubies and gemstones.  

Indian investments in sectors other than mining include Godrej group’s interest in hair & beauty products in Matola, and investments in commercial agriculture by companies like Pure Diets and Asian Tea Company. Indian companies are present in automobile sector like Tata, Mahindra and TVS. There is increasing interest by Indian companies to invest in newer sectors of Mozambique, including healthcare, education, electricity, information technology, pharmaceuticals, etc. Apart from investment, bilateral trade between India and Mozambique has also been rapidly growing in recent years. The most important exports from India to Mozambique are refined petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, machinery etc., whereas coking coal, cashew and raw agri products are the leading Mozambican exports to India. There is active and regular exchange between Mozambican and Indian Chambers of Industry. Businessmen of both countries participate in trade fairs and commercial events organized in each other’s countries.

Value: Million USD 

Source: DGCIS

India’s exports to Mozambique comprises mainly of Petroleum products, Engineering goods, Pharmaceuticals, Rice, Fabrics, Bicycles, Machinery, Ceramic products and Glassware, Plastic and Linoleum.  Major item-wise imports from India over the last few years and their associated changes in percentage terms are as follows:                                                                                                                        

Fifth meeting of JWG on Mines and Mineral Resources 

The fifth meeting of JWG on Mines and Mineral Resources was held in virtual format (8 Oct 2025). The meeting was led by Shri Vivek Kumar Bajpai, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Mines of India and Ms. Marcelina Joel, Director of Planning and Cooperation, Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy of Mozambique. Both sides identified possible areas of collaboration and also reviewed the progress on the outcomes of the previous JWG meeting which was held in New Delhi in June 2023.

Business delegations 

Business delegations/representatives from several Indian companies regularly visited Mozambique and the number and frequency of such visits has increased considerably in recent times. Mozambique was the Partner Country in the CII Exim Bank Conclave on India Africa Partnership in 2011. Many Mozambican companies participate in CII EXIM banks conclaves in India every year. Following Indian business houses and companies have dominant presence in Mozambique: ICVL, RITES, WAPCOS, Pure Diet India Ltd, Raja Ram Bapu group, Moz India, Aditya Birla Group, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL), Tata Mozambique, Mozambique Holdings, AFCONS Infrastructure Ltd, GAIL, Escorts Ltd, Vulcan, etc.

A business roundtable on promotion of business opportunities and trade between Mozambique and India was held in Maputo (26 March 2024). Presentations included investment opportunities in Mozambique, mining sector in Mozambique and some star sectors of India – pharmaceuticals, automobiles, education & health. 

The first India-Mozambique Defence Industrial Interaction was held in Maputo (25-26 April 2024). More than 20 Indian defence companies participated in the event. It provided an opportunity for defence companies from India to come together with officials from the Ministries of Defence, Mozambican Defence Armed Forces and Mozambican Civil Security Agencies to explore possible areas of collaboration in defence production and procurement.

India and Mozambique signed MoU for recognition and acceptance of Indian Pharmacopoeia in Maputo (18 July 2024). Dr. Tania Sitoie, CEO of National Regulatory Authority for Medicines of Mozambique and High Commissioner of India signed the MoU. This will lead to mutual benefits for pharma trade and health sector between India and Mozambique. Both countries stand to benefit. 

EdCIL facilitated the participation of about 10 Indian universities at the Study in India Education Fair in Maputo (22 July 2024). This was EdCIL’s first SII education fair in Mozambique. Hon’ble Minister of Education and Human Development graced the event as Chief Guest. Mozambican students from various schools in Maputo and Matola participated in the education fair. 

India was partner country at Maputo International Trade Fair 2024 (26 Aug – 1 Sept 2024). FICCI and FIEO led business delegations from India to the trade fair and some Indian companies already based in Mozambique also participated with their stalls at the India pavilion. India Mozambique Business Roundtable was held during the trade fair and FICCI signed MoU for cooperation with CTA of Mozambique and also with Indian Business Council of Mozambique.  

High Commission of India and Chamber of Commerce of Mozambique organised a business roundtable on India and Mozambique in Maputo (25 March 2025). Presentations were made by representatives of CMA CGM, Indian Business Council, APIEX, EDM and CCM. It was attended by about 80 Indian and Mozambican businessmen.    

Federation of Indian Export Organizations in collaboration with High Commission of India organized a virtual meeting (14 May 2025). High Commissioner made a presentation on bilateral trade & business relations and opportunities. Representatives of High Commission of Mozambique in New Delhi, Indian Business Council of Mozambique, Agency for Promotion of Investment and Export of Mozambique (APIEX) and Association of Small and Medium Enterprise of Mozambique participated and made presentations.

High Commission of India organised a business roundtable in Beira (6 June 2025) which was attended by about 100 Indian and Mozambican businessmen. President of Commercial Association of Beira made a presentation about business opportunities in Beira and Sofala province. This was followed by presentations by select Indian and Mozambican companies. The event concluded with Q&A session and networking session. 

High Commission of India organized an interaction with representatives of medical and education placement agencies in Maputo (8 July 2025). Four Indian pharma companies participated in the Mozambique International Health Expo & Summit (30-31 July 2025). High Commissioner visited stalls of Indian and Mozambican pharma companies doing business with India. More than 15 Indian companies participated at the Maputo International Trade Fair (25-31 Aug 2025). There were businessmen from India who attended the trade fair. 

CII led 18-member business delegation to Maputo (24-25 Nov 2025). During the visit, India Mozambique Business Forum meeting was held in Maputo. Besides the Business Forum Meeting, the delegation met Secretary of State for Trade, Secretary of State for Land & Environment, Permanent Secretary for Health and visited Beluluane Industrial Park.

During 2025, some of the education fairs held by private Indian universities included those by Parul University in Maputo (15 Feb), Sharda University in Maputo (22 Feb), Parul University in Beira (15 March) CT University in Maputo (21 March), Parul University in Maputo (7 June) and Parul University in Maputo (12 July).  

Government of India’s Concessional Lines of Credit

In recent years, India’s support for Mozambique’s development agenda has become an important priority under a vibrant, robust and versatile bilateral relationship between both countries. Most of this assistance has been provided through concessional Lines of Credit (LOC) implemented through EXIM Bank of India.

By implementing projects under its concessional LoCs, India has extended support to Mozambique in diverse areas - provision of drinking water, improving power generation and distribution, improving agricultural productivity, rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure, creation of an Information Technology Park, construction of an assembly plant for solar cells, rehabilitation of road networks, construction of housing units, railway equipment etc.

Under LOC of USD 149.72 million, Afcons is undertaking the construction of Tica-Buzi and Nova-Sofala roads in central Mozambique. 

Under LOC of USD 95 million, RITES has supplied Made in India railway rolling stock including locomotives, wagons and coaches

Grants/Assistance

Besides LOC support, India has also extended limited grant assistance to Mozambique. 

During the Mozambican President's visit to India in 2010, a grant of USD 4.5 million was announced for assisting the Mozambican police forces. Through this modality, three anti-riot vehicles, 100 anti-riot guns and ammunition and some protective gear, as well as 5000 solar lanterns provided to the Mozambican Government. Subsequently, a part of the grant was used for training 6 Mozambican police officers at the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University in Ahmedabad for Master’s Programme. Substantial part of the money was used for purchasing 40 Mahindra SUVs and 6 Tata Armoured Personnel Carriers for the Mozambican Government. Then, Raksha Mantri gifted 44 SUVs to Mozambican Interior Minister in July 2019. 

In early 2017, Ministry gave a separate cash-grant of USD 1 million to the Mozambican Health Ministry, for purchase of Indian-manufactured health equipment. Some medical equipment was also gifted to Mozambique in July 2018. 

In the aftermath of Cyclone IDAI in March 2019, Government of India had deployed three Indian Naval Ships to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to the affected people in the Beira province of Mozambique. In December 2021, INS Kesari delivered consignment of 500 MT of rice.  

In September 2020, India handed over 13 essential medicines worth 22 million Meticais to Mozambique to combat and prevent COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2021, India donated 100,000 doses and supplied over 1 million doses of Covishield vaccine under COVAX programme to Mozambique.

In February 2022, India and Mozambique signed a MoU for implementation of a Drinking Water Project at the Mueda District under Government of India’s grant assistance of USD 10 million. 

In June 2022, India donated a consignment of Covid-19 related assistance package comprising of PPE kits and face masks besides 2 Mahindra SUVs to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Government of India in collaboration with Shree Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayta Samiti and Mozambican Ministry of Health organized Free Artificial Limb Fitment Camp at the
Central Hospital in Maputo from 24 June - 6 Aug 2025. The camp provided artificial limbs to 1230 beneficiaries in Mozambique. Another free artificial limb camp is being held in Nampula in northern Mozambique (Nov-Dec 2025).

The first tranche of medicines and equipment was handed over to the Mozambican Minister of Health in Maputo (11 Oct 2025). India gifted medicines and equipment to Mozambique, which will augment Mozambique’s healthcare capabilities. ICGS Sachet had brought the consignment. Macomia Health Centre in northern Mozambique is being rehabilitated by India and UNDP. 

Trade Agreements

A Trade Agreement was signed between India and Mozambique in 1982. During the second Joint Commission meeting held in New Delhi in February 2009, the Indian side handed over a draft of a new trade agreement. The Mozambican side had conveyed in August 2013 that they were ready to sign the agreement, which is presently under consideration on our side.

Double Tax Avoidance Agreement, MOU on cooperation on promotion of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and MOU on cooperation in the field of Mineral Resources were signed in September 2010.

Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of Oil and Gas was signed in November 2014.   

Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of New and Renewable Energy was signed during State Visit of President Nyusi in August 2015.

India and Mozambique signed MoU for recognition and acceptance of Indian Pharmacopoeia in Maputo (18 July 2024). 

November 2025