After Mozambique became independent in 1975, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) established diplomatic relations with the country, followed by the Federal Republic of Germany a year later. The Agreement regarding Technical Cooperation has been in force since 1985 and the Agreement on Cultural Cooperation since 1997.

Many Mozambican nationals studied in the GDR and around 20,000 Mozambicans were employed there as contract workers. As a result, there are still some close personal ties with Germany. Germany has provided wide-ranging support to the peace, reconciliation and stabilisation process in Mozambique.

Development cooperation is a priority in German-Mozambican relations. At the most recent intergovernmental negotiations held in Berlin in June 2024, a strategic climate and development partnership focusing on the expansion of renewable energies, investments in power grids, the training of skilled workers for the installation of regenerative sources of electricity, and adaptation to climate change was agreed with Mozambique. Mozambique joined the G7 Climate Club in November 2023. Bilateral development cooperation focuses on the core topics of peace and social cohesion, sustainable economic development, training and employment, climate and energy and the Just Transition. Germany is also actively involved in the support programmes of the European Union and multilateral institutions.

Mozambique is Germany’s third most important trading partner in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Bilateral trade with Mozambique amounted to some 246 million euro in 2024, with aluminium being Mozambique’s main export to Germany. In 2024, German exports to Mozambique were worth 63.1 million euro, while Mozambican exports to Germany totalled 182.9 million euro. In addition, many imports and exports are handled via the Netherlands and South Africa.