What You Need to Know
Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo announced that the country is poised to become a significant global gas supplier, particularly to Africa. He emphasized the potential for gas exports to Kenya, supported by ongoing megaprojects in the Rovuma Basin. With plans for extensive gas pipeline construction, Mozambique aims to enhance its production capacity and regional partnerships.
Africa-Press – Mozambique. The Mozambican Head of State, Daniel Chapo, said yesterday that Mozambique is an alternative supplier of gas to the global market, and especially to the African continent, showing openness to exporting the product to Kenya through the country’s ports.
“Gas can be exported from Mozambique to Kenya and benefit our brother country and the Kenyan people. Therefore, we truly see Mozambique as one of the global gas alternatives, for Africa itself and, above all, for our brother countries,” President Chapo said when questioned by journalists during a review of his visit to Kenya.
In a joint press conference with his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto, Chapo referred to the ongoing gas megaprojects in Mozambique, explaining that once all are operational, Mozambique will be among the world’s five largest producers, able to develop the local industry and export.
To achieve this, Chapo said the country has projects to construct gas pipelines from the port of Beira in the centre of the country, the port of Nacala, and from Cabo Delgado in the north, indicating that this product could benefit Kenya.
“In this export process, our African countries will benefit from this gas, and Kenya is a brother country that has been working with us. We also have the largest coal reserves, and (…) Kenya has cement factories that use coal, and we have already hosted Kenyan businessmen in Mozambique interested in importing coal,” Chapo said.
Mozambique has three approved megaprojects for the development of LNG reserves in the Rovuma Basin, classified among the largest in the world, off the coast of Cabo Delgado.
One of these projects is operated by TotalEnergies, and another by ExxonMobil (18 mtpa), valued at US$30 billion (€26.1 billion), currently awaiting a final investment decision, both in Afungi.
Additionally, the Italian company Eni has been producing about 7 mtpa since 2022 from the floating Coral Sul platform, which will be doubled from 2028 with the Coral Norte platform, in an investment of US$7.2 billion (€6.2 billion).
Mozambique has emerged as a focal point for natural gas production, particularly with the development of its LNG reserves in the Rovuma Basin. The country is home to several large-scale projects, including those operated by TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil, which are set to position Mozambique among the top global gas producers. These developments not only promise economic growth but also aim to strengthen regional ties through energy exports, particularly to neighboring countries like Kenya. The strategic location of Mozambique’s ports facilitates potential gas trade, enhancing its role in the African energy landscape.
