Qatar’s investment group Al Mansour Holding has signed a strategic agreement to invest US$20 billion in Mozambique. The deal, announced on Wednesday, is part of a broader, multi-billion dollar investment tour across the African continent led by Sheikh Mansour bin Jabor bin Jassim Al Thani.
The US$20 billion long-term investment will be channeled into key sectors including agriculture, energy, infrastructure, health, education, and tourism.
The agreement comes at a time of mounting economic urgency for Botswana. Once hailed as one of Africa’s most stable and successful economies, the country has seen its GDP shrink by 3% in 2024, largely due to a steep downturn in the diamond market, a sector that has historically underpinned Botswana’s economy.
According to the World Bank, Botswana’s fiscal situation has deteriorated sharply, with the national budget deficit for FY2024–25 forecasted at 9.2% of GDP. Government spending has risen by 7.5% of GDP over the past two years, while diamond revenues have fallen by a staggering 50.7% in the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
The International Monetary Fund now projects a further GDP contraction of 0.4% in 2025, a stark contrast to the government’s earlier growth projection of 3.3%.
Meanwhile, the landmark deal in Mozambique is one of several major investments being pursued by Al Mansour Holding in Africa. The firm has been on a high-profile tour of ten nations, with significant commitments already announced:
- Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): A reported pledge of over $20 billion, targeting sectors such as livestock farming, mining, and hydrocarbons production.
- Botswana: A $12 billion investment agreement focusing on infrastructure, energy, mining, and agriculture, among others.
- Zambia: A $19 billion partnership deal to establish a national investment and development bank, as well as projects in housing, agriculture, and other key sectors.
- Zimbabwe: A deal with Australia’s Invictus to invest in the country’s energy sector.
Al Mansour Holding, which has been allocated up to $300 billion by a Qatari investment fund for projects in Africa and Asia, is seen as a key player in Qatar’s strategy to deepen economic partnerships and expand its influence across the continent.
