Speaking to reporters after visiting the HCB project, Ajay Banga emphasized that Mozambique "has everything" to develop the right type of energy and transmission capacity, emphasizing that no other country in the Southern African region has the necessary assets to achieve what Mozambique is capable of in this area.

Banga noted that Daniel Chapo's strategic thinking over the past ten years has aligned its priorities with those of the World Bank, highlighting the energy sector among them. He emphasized the Mozambican head of state's interest in harnessing the country's natural resources, particularly hydroelectric power, natural gas, solar energy, and solar and wind potential.

During this exchange, Chapo expressed his goal of making Mozambique an energy powerhouse and transforming it into a true energy back office for the southern region of the continent.

To achieve this, he said, it will be essential to work together and establish public-private partnerships with the involvement of various WB agencies, which can provide both financing and technical assistance.

During the joint statements, Chapo reiterated his ambition to transform Mozambique into an electricity hub, leveraging its natural gas reserves—among the largest in Africa—as well as its hydroelectric, solar, and wind potential.

He emphasized that the country has already begun producing energy from gas, with several projects in preparation and others already underway, and he addressed the president of the World Bank directly to encourage investment in the entire Mozambican energy matrix.

Ajay Banga assured Chapo of the willingness of the WB and its agencies to support the various energy projects underway, such as increasing production in Cahora Bassa, with the northern hydroelectric plant—to be completed by 2032—and the implementation of a new solar park with a capacity of 400 megawatts.

Furthermore, he highlighted the future Mphanda Nkuwa dam, with a projected capacity of 1.500 megawatts and an estimated cost of 4,5 billion euros, to be completed by 2031, also on the Zambezi River, an area he had flown over with the Mozambican President shortly before.

The WB president revealed that talks are underway with the Mozambican government to invest in a cascade hydroelectric project, also downstream of the HCB, with an additional capacity of 1.500 megawatts. He also highlighted the growing investment in solar energy, noting that even more promising projects are on the country's energy horizon.

According to Ajay Banga, all these elements form a kind of “orchestra playing good music,” where many instruments need to work in harmony to produce an effective result.

He emphasized that this joint vision with Mozambique constitutes arguably the most important partnership between the two parties. He also added that there are other energy projects that he considered "even more interesting" in the country.

The World Bank president emphasized that all these elements work together like an orchestra playing beautiful music, requiring many instruments to play in harmony for the final result to be effective. He considered this precisely the nature of the partnership currently under discussion with Mozambique.

Beyond the energy sector, Banga highlighted significant opportunities in tourism, economic corridors, and youth training programs. He considered Mozambique a country "endowed with assets," and that if these young people can be provided with productive jobs, hope, and optimism, the country will have a great future ahead.

In this sense, Chapo indicated that the relationship with the World Bank should be based on four strategic areas: tourism — with a view to catapulting its potential — agriculture, mineral and energy resources, and infrastructure, highlighting the three logistics corridors that connect seaports to the interior and borders with neighboring countries.

Mozambique stands out for its natural gas reserves, enormous hydropower potential, and solid advances in renewable energy. The World Bank believes that, with international support and strategic management, the country has the ideal conditions to become not only self-sufficient but also an energy powerhouse within the next ten years.

The alliance between structural projects, international financing, and ambitious public policies pave the way for Mozambique to become a regional energy hub. Achieving these goals will require institutional coordination, continuous investment, and social inclusion to ensure that the benefits reach the entire population and transform society as a whole.