President Chapo revealed that he met with TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné in July to finalize preparations for the restart, stressing that “security is very important” for both the government and investors. The project was originally scheduled to start in 2024 but was halted when militants launched deadly raids in Cabo Delgado province, forcing the company to declare force majeure. With support from neighboring countries and Western partners, Mozambique has strengthened military operations in the region, creating conditions for construction to resume.

Global Energy Importance

The LNG facility is projected to produce volumes equivalent to one-fifth of Japan’s annual consumption, with key buyers including JERA, Tokyo Gas, and Taiwan’s CPC. Japan has supported the project with loans and investment guarantees, while Mozambique hopes to leverage this cooperation to expand infrastructure along the Nacala Corridor. If successful, the project would be Mozambique’s first large-scale onshore LNG plant, supplementing its floating facility launched in 2022. Chapo said Mozambique’s reserves could allow annual exports exceeding 30 million tons, positioning the country just behind the United States, Australia, and Qatar.

Economic And Political Outlook

Chapo called on Japanese companies to expand investments in energy, mining, agriculture, and infrastructure, citing opportunities in coal, lithium, and graphite. He also highlighted ongoing political stabilization efforts after protests followed his contested election in 2024, noting that a national dialogue agreement had been signed with opposition parties. For Mozambique, the LNG project represents not only an economic transformation but also a strategic step toward becoming one of the world’s leading energy suppliers.