Mozambican Economy and Finance Minister Adriano Maleiane has said his government is striving to lure Chinese to invest in the Tete-Maputo electricity transmission line, A Verdade reports.

The Mozambican newspaper quotes Mr Maleiane as saying his country is also open to Chinese investment in the Mphanda Nkuwa hydroelectric power station.

The state of its finances means the government prefers investment by Chinese to loans, A Verdade quotes Mr Maleiane as saying.

Another Mozambican newspaper, O País, reports that Mozambique needs US$9 billion for its electricity grid, including the Tete-Maputo transmission line.

The report says the sum is part of US$34 billion in investment envisaged by the national plan for electricity infrastructure approved by the cabinet.

The plan envisages investment of US$18 billion in electricity generation infrastructure, including the Mphanda Nkuwa hydroelectric power station.