The Japanese PM is visiting Mozambique as part of his six-day tour that took him to three other African countries - Ghana, Kenya and Egypt.

He said Japan was interested in financing the fight against terrorism in northern Cabo Delgado province, which would allow Japanese companies that are part of the consortiums exploiting natural gas in the Rovuma basin, to operate in a safe environment.

The province in the north has been besieged by a Islamic militant insurgency for years.

Mr Kishida and Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi spoke of a need for Japanese private investment in “structural areas” of the economy, with a view to concrete results in bilateral co-operation.

Mr Nyusi urged the Japanese to explore investment opportunities in transport, agriculture, industry and tourism.