TotalEnergies SE has confirmed that its liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in northern Mozambique is prepared to resume construction after a four-year suspension prompted by security concerns in Cabo Delgado. The French energy company, which leads the consortium of investors, has indicated that operations are expected to commence in 2029, provided final approvals are secured from both project partners and the Mozambican government.
The Mozambique LNG project, situated in the resource-rich Cabo Delgado province, was previously valued at an estimated US$20 billion and is regarded as one of the most significant foreign direct investments in Africa’s energy sector. The development, designed to harness the country’s vast offshore natural gas reserves, is seen as crucial to Mozambique’s long-term economic trajectory, with the potential to transform it into a major global LNG exporter. According to the International Energy Agency, Mozambique could rank among the top ten LNG producers once projects in the Rovuma Basin reach full capacity.
The project was halted in 2021 after escalating violence linked to Islamic State-affiliated groups destabilised the region, leading to the declaration of force majeure. Since then, improved security conditions, bolstered by regional military cooperation involving the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Rwandan forces, have provided a pathway for the gradual return of industrial activity. Analysts note that while the security landscape has improved, concerns remain about the sustainability of peace in communities most affected by displacement and conflict.
Patrick Pouyanné, Chief Executive Officer of TotalEnergies, stated during an investor meeting in New York that mobilisation efforts on the ground have resumed, although the final development plan and budget adjustments must still be reviewed and endorsed. “Everything is ready, in fact we are remobilising on the ground,” Pouyanné said, adding that ongoing assessments are expected to be concluded swiftly to allow the project to move forward.
The project’s restart is not only of national significance to Mozambique but also holds broader implications for southern Africa and global energy markets. For the region, LNG development is tied to questions of shared infrastructure, revenue distribution, and regional economic integration. At the same time, international observers point to the importance of balancing extractive investment with equitable social outcomes, particularly in one of the world’s most impoverished nations where natural wealth has historically struggled to translate into broad-based development.
Energy economists caution that while LNG exports are likely to generate substantial fiscal revenues, challenges relating to governance, transparency, and community inclusion remain pressing. Lessons from other resource-dependent economies in Africa suggest that without deliberate policies aimed at inclusive growth, resource wealth can exacerbate inequality rather than alleviate it.
Mozambique LNG is expected to be central to the country’s future economic framework, but its success will depend not only on international investment but also on how the benefits are distributed domestically and regionally. With operations now targeted for 2029, the project symbolises both Mozambique’s opportunity and the complex realities of harnessing natural resources within a contested global energy landscape.
