Mozambique positions gas, power projects to attract investors at AEW 2026
Mozambique is set to showcase its expanding gas and power investment opportunities at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, with Estêvão Tomás Rafael Pale, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, confirmed to represent President Daniel Francisco Chapo at the continental energy gathering.
Pale’s participation will give international investors direct access to the government leadership driving Mozambique’s efforts to monetise its vast natural gas resources, expand electricity access and establish the country as a regional energy hub.
The engagement comes as Mozambique advances its National Electrification and Just Energy Transition strategies, with the country seeking to increase electricity access from about 60 per cent to universal coverage by 2030.
At the centre of the strategy is the development of more than 160 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves through international investment and strategic partnerships. Major projects, including TotalEnergies’ $20 billion Mozambique LNG, ExxonMobil’s Rovuma LNG Phase One and Eni’s Coral North FLNG, are positioning Mozambique as an increasingly important global gas supplier.
Momentum in the sector has strengthened with ExxonMobil issuing a letter of intent to McDermott for engineering and procurement services for the Rovuma LNG Phase One project. The move comes ahead of an anticipated final investment decision later this year.
In another development, Technip Energies secured an engineering and procurement contract in June for Eni’s Coral Norte FLNG project, while the African Development Bank approved $150 million in financing for the development earlier this year.
Eni has also launched an international tender for a third FLNG platform at the Rovuma project as Mozambique seeks to expand its capacity to supply global energy markets.
TotalEnergies’ restart of the Mozambique LNG project in January further reinforced investor confidence in the country’s gas industry. The project is expected to create more than 17,000 jobs during construction while generating government revenues, strengthening energy security and supporting local workforce development.
Beyond LNG exports, Mozambique is seeking to use its gas resources to improve domestic energy security and expand access to clean cooking. The country aims to increase clean cooking access from 17 per cent currently to 54 per cent by 2030.
Mozambique’s investment opportunities also extend to electricity infrastructure. Following an El Niño-induced drought that reduced hydropower capacity by about 25 per cent, the government is pursuing new generation and transmission projects while targeting an 80.6 per cent renewable energy share by 2032.
Key projects include the 450 MW Temane Thermal Plant and the 1,500 MW Mphanda Nkuwa Hydroelectric Project. The country is also developing a 400 kV transmission backbone linking its northern, central and southern regions, alongside cross-border interconnectors designed to strengthen regional electricity trade.
With Mozambique seeking an estimated $18.6 billion to finance wider power-sector reforms and infrastructure development, AEW 2026 will provide an opportunity for the government to engage investors, financiers and energy companies on projects across the gas, power and infrastructure value chain.
“Mozambique is a blueprint for how rich oil and gas resources, a favorable business environment, and strong government resolve combine to optimize energy development,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.
“The country’s gas sector offers immense potential to create jobs for youth and enable local businesses to thrive,” he added.
At AEW 2026, Minister Pale is expected to participate in high-level discussions and investor engagements focused on Mozambique’s gas developments, electricity infrastructure, energy transition and opportunities for local and international companies.
