Belarus is looking to expand its economic footprint in Southeast Africa by scaling up agricultural exports and training programs in Mozambique, according to the state-run BelTA news agency, citing the country’s Agriculture and Food Ministry.
The diplomatic push comes as Minsk seeks to diversify its trade relationships. During a meeting between Belarusian Deputy Agriculture Minister Aleksandr Yakovchits and Mozambique’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Maria de Fátima Simão Manso, the two nations discussed using their Joint Commission to dismantle market-access barriers and accelerate bilateral trade.
While current agricultural trade between the two nations is modest, largely driven by Belarusian imports of Mozambican fruit in 2025, Minsk is angling to pivot toward high-value exports. Belarus has proposed shipping a suite of commodities to Mozambique, including poultry, skimmed milk powder, butter, baby food, and veterinary medicines.
“Our strong export potential enables cooperation across all areas,” Yakovchits said, noting that Minsk is also offering to train Mozambican specialists at its top four agricultural universities to sweeten the deal. Belarus requested that Mozambique outline its market access requirements for meat and dairy imports to expedite formal contracts.
For Mozambique, the partnership offers a way to bolster food security amid rapid domestic growth. “Mozambique is developing rapidly, and increasing food imports is important for us,” Manso said, adding that Maputo views Belarus as a reliable partner for both food supplies and agricultural mechanisation.
The two sides are targeting a fourth meeting of their Joint Commission in Maputo later this year. To move from political intent to practical contracts, officials agreed to accelerate the review of a pending memorandum of understanding and finalise their respective export priorities in the coming months.
