Mozambique resumes LNG projects as industry pushes for inclusive growth

Industry leaders emphasise that long-term success of Mozambique LNG sector development depends on inclusive growth, local participation and stronger community engagement.

What: Mozambique is positioning itself on the brink of significant economic evolution.

Why: The country’s large-scale LNG projects are restarting after security delays, with major investments set to boost output and revenues.

What next: Over the next 10 years, these LNG projects could help build a skilled national workforce able to support the wider energy sector.

After delays over security issues in Cabo Delgado province, Mozambique’s major onshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects are starting to move forward again. The country holds some of the largest recent gas discoveries and is becoming an important player in the LNG sector.

France’s supermajor TotalEnergies (EPA/NYSE/LSE:TTE) fully restarted the 13mn tonnes per year (tpy) Mozambique LNG project in January 2026 after force majeure was lifted in 2025. With construction resuming and thousands of workers – most of them local – on site, first output is now targeted for 2029.

Meanwhile, the 18mn-tpy Rovuma LNG project, led by US energy giant ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM), is progressing toward a final investment decision (FID) in 2026. Major offshore projects are also moving ahead with Italy’s Eni (BIT:ENI, NYSE:E) advancing its Coral North floating LNG (FLNG) project, which reached FID in 2025 and is on track to start operations in 2028.

Economic evolution

As Energy Capital&Power (ECP) recently reported, projects of this scale are becoming increasingly important in the current market owing to ongoing military conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. European buyers are now looking to diversify supply and are more willing to commit to long-term African LNG volumes, even where timelines are uncertain. Tighter global market conditions are turning previously high-risk developments into strategic sources of future supply, says ECP.

According to Xiluva Mondlane, field specialist and field service engineer at Baker Hughes (NASDAQ:BKR), with the restart of onshore LNG projects in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique is positioning itself on the brink of significant economic evolution. A Mozambican national, Mondlane is recognised as an expert voice on LNG developments in Mozambique, advocating for inclusive economic growth.

In her article, published by the African Energy Chamber (AEC) on April 27, Mondlane outlines what Mozambicans can expect from the country’s LNG developments as they enter a defining decade. “Around 30mn tpy from 2030 onwards is expected, alongside $100bn in government revenues over 25 years – figures that could reshape the future of one of the poorest countries in the world,” she says.

Large LNG projects in Mozambique are expected to create at least 40,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, mainly during construction and start-up. For many Mozambicans, particularly in Cabo Delgado, this offers a rare chance for stable work and better living standards. However, Mondlane points out, the focus should not only be on employment numbers, but also on the quality and accessibility of those positions.

Local workers need to be prioritised and given opportunities beyond low-skilled roles. This will require stronger investment in education, vocational training and skills development so that Mozambicans can take on technical, specialist and managerial roles. Reducing reliance on higher-paid expatriates is also important. Over the next 10 years, these LNG projects could help build a skilled national workforce able to support the wider energy sector.

“LNG projects require vast supply chains, creating a unique opportunity for Mozambican entrepreneurs and SMEs to participate in and benefit from the industry,” says Mondlane. “As a citizen, I foresee transparent and fair procurement processes in which the 2,500 registered Mozambican businesses are able to compete and grow. More importantly, there should be a shift toward long-term partnerships rather than short-term contracts, enabling these businesses to scale sustainably.”

Infrastructure development, including roads and upgrades to Pemba and Nacala ports, will also be key to supporting these projects.

Community involvement

For communities in Cabo Delgado, LNG development is a direct, everyday reality rather than a distant idea, bringing both benefits and challenges, according to Mondlane. The halt in LNG operations in 2021 due to insurgency exposed how fragile the region remains. She notes that, although firm evidence is limited, some international security analysts believe certain locals may have joined insurgent groups partly out of frustration over being excluded from LNG-related opportunities and wider economic activity.

“In this context, it is critical that LNG operators, alongside the government, actively consult, respect and involve local communities in decision-making processes that affect their land and livelihoods,” states Mondlane. “Without strong community relations, even economically viable projects risk fuelling social tensions and long-term instability. Benefits must be equitably distributed, and communities should feel included rather than marginalised.”

Looking ahead, Mondlane believes that Mozambique’s onshore LNG sector offers major potential, but also carries clear obligations. She maintains that the focus must go beyond growth to ensure development is inclusive, with meaningful jobs for Mozambicans, support for local businesses and genuine participation of communities in shaping outcomes.

MEC’s support

Mondlane’s views on inclusive development of the country’s growing energy sector are shared by the Mozambique Energy Chamber (MEC). In March, the MEC announced that its members would withdraw from attending the Africa Energies Summit hosted by Frontier Energy Network in London on May 12 – 14.

The decision followed a call by the African Energy Chamber (AEC) for African oil and gas companies to boycott the upcoming event over local content representation concerns, NewsBase reported at the time.

“Mozambique understands all too well what it means when citizens are not happy with the oil and gas sector,” says MEC’s president Florival Mucave. “We saw a response with the uprising in the north that stalled major gas projects. Our country is experiencing big debates around local content and community involvement.”

The MEC believes that the industry leaders should ensure the sector’s inclusive growth and support of African professionals. As Mozambique’s major gas projects return to the development pipeline, it will be critical not only for Mozambique’s success but also for the credibility of Africa’s broader energy narrative.

“Failure to maintain an oil and gas industry culture that fosters innovation, collaboration and inclusion in Africa will only disrupt gas operations, create doubts about the industry and adversely affect our industry as well as our future success both for Mozambicans and Africans,” says Mucave.