Italy's president visits Mozambique seeking gas

Italian President Sergio Mattarella has been in Mozambique to boost relations as the country looks for cut its reliance on Russian gas.

This is being done via Italian oil giant Eni.

“Collaboration with Eni is important here: it is precious and I hope it can spread to other Italian firms,” President Mattarella said at the presidential palace in the capital, Maputo.

Following the war in Ukraine, Italy has brought down Russian gas imports from 40% to around 25% following deals with Algeria, Egypt, and Libya among other African countries.

Mozambique’s leader Filipe Nyusi, while acknowledging future co-operation with Italy, said his country needed to diversify its economy as well.

“People don't eat, don't smoke gas. That's why we talk about other areas, including agriculture, industry, fishing and energy and other areas," the president said.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Mozambique Presidency