Mozambique is positioning itself as a regional energy hub, backed by $50 billion worth of LNG projects currently under development across the Rovuma Basin. Speaking at the Mozambique CEO Summit this week, Mozambican President Daniel Chapo said the country’s natural resources, infrastructure and strategic location will not only provide the foundation to establish it as a major regional energy production and distribution center, but unlock developments capable of transforming the domestic economy.
With over 100 trillion cubic feet of gas resources in the Rovuma Basin alone, Mozambique is well positioned to use its energy resources to power a new phase of economic growth. Major projects include the Eni-led Coral South FLNG (operational) and Coral North FLNG (2028); the TotalEnergies-led Mozambique LNG project (2029); and the ExxonMobil-led Rovuma LNG development, which targets FID in 2026 or 2027. These projects have combined capacity of over 40 million tons per annum.
In his opening remarks, President Chapo emphasized that the government aims to leverage these projects to accelerate industrialization, increase local capacity, create skills job opportunities while strengthening the Mozambican business ecosystem. To achieve this, the president called on the country’s Rovuma projects to prioritize workforce development and training initiatives, while ensuring Mozambican contractors and companies active in the supply chain play a meaningful role in project development.
The President also underscored that the private sector will be critical to delivering the next phase of growth. President Chapocalled for greater professionalism, integrity, respect for contracts and capacity to execute projects, while committing the government to continued reforms to strengthen Mozambique’s investment environment. He stressed that major projects should directly benefit the national economy, particularly through local content and opportunities for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
Mozambique’s recently approved Local Content Law forms an important part of this strategy. President Chapo positioned local content not simply as a regulatory obligation, but as an economic development tool capable of strengthening domestic companies, building workforce capacity and increasing Mozambican participation in the wealth generated by the country’s natural resources.
The African Energy Chamber (AEC), represented at the Mozambique CEO Summit by Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk, supports this push to translate large-scale energy investment into stronger domestic and regional growth. During the Summit, the AEC engaged in strategic discussions with the Chamber of Commerce of Mozambique on leveraging the country’s energy resources to increase private-sector participation and accelerate local industry development.
“President Daniel Chapo and his government are working hand-in-hand with the private sector on reforms that slash bureaucracy that has been keeping Mozambique from realizing its true potential. Mozambique has cut red tape and rolled out the red carpet to investors and Mozambicans and the world stands to win,” states Ayuk.
Reliable and abundant energy could also open a new investment frontier in the digital economy. President Chapo identified data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure among the industries Mozambique could attract as energy availability improves, positioning the country to combine its resource base with technology-led economic diversification.
“The private sector in Mozambique is going to shape the future. We need to nurture Mozambican success, empower it, reward it, and celebrate it. The Mozambique CEO Summit represents a good platform for the future and the AEC will continue to support it,” Ayuk added.
