AEC, ENH strengthen partnership to support Mozambique’s energy investment drive

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) and Mozambique’s national oil company, Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH), have agreed to strengthen cooperation aimed at attracting investment, expanding local content and increasing private-sector participation as the country’s gas industry enters a new phase of growth.

In a media statement on July 23, the AEC said the partnership would combine the Chamber’s international investor network with ENH’s development priorities to help mobilise capital, support policy dialogue and improve collaboration across Mozambique’s hydrocarbon sector.

The agreement comes as Mozambique is emerging as one of Africa’s largest energy investment destinations following the resumption of major liquefied natural gas (LNG) developments. More than $50bn has been committed to projects in the Rovuma Basin after force majeure was lifted on key developments in late 2025.

The AEC said the collaboration would focus on promoting investment, addressing regulatory and operational challenges, strengthening domestic supply chains and increasing the participation of Mozambican companies and workers throughout the oil and gas industry.

Mozambique’s largest LNG projects continue to gather pace. TotalEnergies (EPA/NYSE/LSE: TTE) resumed full construction activities, both onshore and offshore, at its $20.5bn Mozambique LNG project in January 2026 after force majeure was lifted in November 2025. More than 4,000 workers, of which over 3,000 are Mozambican nationals, have returned to the site. The 13.1mn tonnes per year (tpy) project targets first LNG for the first half of 2029. According to TotalEnergies, the project progress is currently at 40% as almost all engineering and procurement of main equipment has been executed during the force majeure period.

At the same time, ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) is progressing engineering work on its $30bn Rovuma LNG project ahead of a final investment decision (FID) expected later this year, while the Coral Norte floating LNG project by Eni (BIT: ENI, NYSE: E), approved in 2025, is scheduled to begin production in 2028. Together with Eni’s operational Coral South FLNG project, these developments are expected to provide more than 38mn tpy of LNG production capacity, establishing Mozambique as one of the world’s leading LNG exporters.

Beyond offshore gas exports, ENH is seeking to attract investment into onshore exploration and production while pursuing its long-term ambition of becoming a direct field operator. According to the AEC, the company is also advancing domestic gas monetisation projects, including plans to develop a petrochemical industry that would convert natural gas into higher-value products.

As part of its growth strategy, ENH also plans to expand Mozambique’s gas infrastructure following the award of a 30-year concession to develop LNG import facilities and related infrastructure in partnership with Mozambique Ports and Railways, Electricidade de Moçambique and Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa.

Skills development is another priority. Earlier this year, ENH signed an agreement with Baker Hughes to provide technical training for Mozambican professionals, supporting the government’s objective of increasing local participation in more than $4bn of contracts linked to LNG developments.

“Our meeting with ENH marks the beginning of an even stronger alliance focused on unlocking Mozambique’s full energy potential,” said AEC executive chairman NJ Ayuk. “By combining investment promotion with local content development and private sector engagement, we can accelerate project delivery while ensuring the country’s world-class resources create lasting value for Mozambique and its people.”