Mozambique’s Council of Ministers has appointed Rudêncio Morais as the new Chairman and CEO of state-owned oil and gas company Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH). The move comes at a defining moment for the country’s energy sector as multi-billion-dollar LNG projects regain momentum and international investors reposition around East African gas.
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) – representing the voice of the African energy sector – welcomes the appointment, describing Morais as one of the strongest candidates to guide ENH through its next phase of growth. Morais brings extensive experience across Mozambique’s energy industry and has built a reputation as a commercially minded and technically capable executive with deep knowledge of the country’s upstream sector. As Mozambique seeks to accelerate project development, expand gas monetization and solidify its position as one of the world’s most promising LNG growth markets, his appointment signals a deliberate effort by the government to reinforce leadership continuity and strengthen institutional capacity.
“Rudêncio Morais is perfect choice to lead ENH through its next phase of growth. He has demonstrated tried, true and tested leadership; He is well respected by the oil and gas industry and a brilliant young mind. He understands ENH is important in meeting the needs of the city on Local Content, energy poverty, and also being a partner of the investors in the country to accelerate project delivery,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC.
The timing of the appointment is particularly significant given the scale of projects currently reshaping Mozambique’s energy landscape. The country is home to some of the largest natural gas discoveries made globally over the past two decades, with the Rovuma Basin alone holding more than 100 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas resources. After years of delays linked to security concerns, financing challenges and global market volatility, momentum is steadily returning to Mozambique’s LNG sector.
“His appointment marks a continuation of the strategic direction established under outgoing ENH leadership, particularly as the company navigates increasingly complex financing, partnership and development requirements tied to LNG expansion. I see better days ahead at a critical time for Mozambique. I urge everyone to give him the necessary support needed so he can be successful,” concluded Ayuk.
TotalEnergies announced the full restart of all development activities – both onshore and offshore – at the Mozambique LNG project in January 2026. The restart follows the lifting of force majeure in 2025, setting the project back on track for a 2029 start. There are currently 4,000 workers on site – 3,000 of which are Mozambican nationals – with the project 40% complete.
ExxonMobil is also advancing the development of the Rovuma LNG project following force majeure which was lifted in 2025. The $30 billion project will have a capacity of 18-million-ton-per-annum project once complete, significantly upscaling Mozambique’s LNG capacity.
Eni has already positioned Mozambique among Africa’s LNG exporters through the Coral South FLNG project, which successfully delivered first LNG cargoes in 2022. The company reached FID on the Coral Norte FLNG project in 2025, with production scheduled for 2028. Together, these projects are expected to transform Mozambique into one of the world’s leading LNG suppliers over the coming decade.
ENH sits at the center of this transformation. As Mozambique’s national oil company, the institution plays a critical role in state participation, project coordination, financing negotiations and local content development across the country’s hydrocarbon sector. Leadership stability at ENH therefore carries implications not only for project execution, but also for investor confidence, regional partnerships and broader economic planning.
For the Chamber, the appointment represents more than a routine executive transition. It reflects Mozambique’s recognition that strong institutional leadership will determine whether the country can fully capitalize on its natural gas opportunity during a critical period for global energy markets. With LNG demand expected to remain resilient across Europe and Asia and African gas increasingly viewed as strategically important to global energy security, Mozambique’s next phase of development will require decisive leadership, policy consistency and sustained industry collaboration.
