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Cabo Delgado: a gas Eldorado and security nightmare
Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique. © Africa Intelligence

Running story
Cabo Delgado: a gas Eldorado and security nightmare

The development of Cabo Delgado province's vast gas resources has brought with it the emergence of an armed insurgency, one that is yet to be clearly defined but is already impinging on Total and ExxonMobil's operations there. As the conflict worsens, President Filipe Nyusi has been prompted to seek foreign help.

Cabo Delgado: a gas Eldorado and security nightmare
Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique. © Africa Intelligence

Spotlight | Mozambique
Paris fumbles its way through Mozambique's post-election crisis

The French embassy in Maputo is maintaining an air of near-normality in the face of unrest it struggles to fully comprehend. Some French companies have begun recalling their staff.

A protest against presidential election results, in Maputo on 6 November 2024.
Free access Politics 17.12.2024
A protest against presidential election results, in Maputo on 6 November 2024.

Rwanda
TotalEnergies sponsors Rwandan sports diplomacy to show appreciation

The oil major knows how to be generous where it comes to Kigali, whose troops will allow TotalEnergies to resume its gas project in the troubled Mozambican region of Cabo Delgado after a four-year hiatus.

Anthony Turgis, a rider with the TotalEnergies cycling team, on the Tour de France, 7 July 2024.
LogoSubscribers only Energy 21.10.2024
Anthony Turgis, a rider with the TotalEnergies cycling team, on the Tour de France, 7 July 2024.

Mozambique
TotalEnergies CEO prepares first trip to Maputo

The French major's teams in Mozambique have been preparing for their first ever encounter with the group CEO Patrick Pouyanné and the country's probable new president Daniel Chapo.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 16.10.2024

Mozambique, Rwanda
Cabo Delgado: EU set to grant €20m aid to Rwandan forces

The deadlock in talks in Brussels between the European Union and Rwanda has been broken after the African country agreed to ensure that EU funds are used exclusively to finance its operations in northern Mozambique.

LogoSubscribers only Defence, Energy 14.10.2024

Mozambique
ExxonMobil advances stealthily on Rovuma LNG restart

US major ExxonMobil is set to restart work on its giant gas liquefaction project in northern Mozambique. Renovation of the site's 'pioneer camp' is about to get under way.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 09.10.2024

Spotlight | Mozambique
ExxonMobil steps up pace of Rovuma LNG project

Despite numerous delays, the US major ExxonMobil is pulling out all the stops in the hope of launching its two gas liquefaction trains in Mozambique by 2030.

Darren Woods, Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil at the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha on 15 May 2024.
LogoSubscribers only Energy 29.07.2024
Darren Woods, Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil at the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha on 15 May 2024.

Mozambique
Portuguese general to head EU's new military mission

Brigadier-General Barroso has been chosen to command EUMAM-Mozambique from September.

LogoSubscribers only Defence 25.07.2024

Mozambique
Rwandan firms flourish in Cabo Delgado thanks to TotalEnergies

Kigali's military intervention to help secure gas projects in northern Mozambique is paying dividends for Rwandan construction firms.

Free access Energy 28.06.2024

Spotlight | Mozambique
Mozambique LNG: US election thwarts TotalEnergies' plans

US election uncertainty has frozen Exim Bank's decision on resuming financing of the Mozambique LNG project, but the French major could decide to dispense with their support for now.

Former US Secretary of State John Kerry and Patrick Pouyanne at the VivaTech annual trade fair in Paris on 23 May 2024.
LogoSubscribers only Energy 19.06.2024
Former US Secretary of State John Kerry and Patrick Pouyanne at the VivaTech annual trade fair in Paris on 23 May 2024.

Spotlight | Mozambique
In Daniel Francisco Chapo, FRELIMO picks convenient unknown as presidential candidate

A bit player in the party that's been in power since independence, the governor of Inhambane Province would be closely watched by the current head of state if he were to win in October.

Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi (left) with Daniel Francisco Chapo in Matola, 7 May 2024.
LogoSubscribers only Politics 22.05.2024
Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi (left) with Daniel Francisco Chapo in Matola, 7 May 2024.

Spotlight | Mozambique
EU split over further funding for Rwandan troops in Cabo Delgado

Kigali has requested €20m from the European Union for Rwandan forces deployed operating in the north of the country, but some EU member states have misgivings.

Rwandan soldiers patrol in Palma in Cabo Delgado province, 17 December 2023.
LogoSubscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 16.04.2024
Rwandan soldiers patrol in Palma in Cabo Delgado province, 17 December 2023.

Spotlight | Mozambique
TotalEnergies pleads with US EXIM Bank to release promised Mozambique LNG funding

The French major's senior management team, led by Patrick Pouyanné, is having nightmares over the financing of the two gas liquefaction trains it is having built on the Afungi Peninsula plant. Some lenders, including the US's EXIM Bank, still fear that security issues could endanger the colossal €20bn project.

TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné in Paris on 8 January 2024.
LogoSubscribers only Energy 26.02.2024
TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné in Paris on 8 January 2024.

Mozambique
SADC special forces begin Cabo Delgado withdrawal

A first SADC military contingent has withdrawn from northern Mozambique, and the rest are due to follow suit by the end of July.

LogoSubscribers only Defence 15.02.2024

Mozambique, Rwanda
Nyusi in urgent security talks with Kagame

The Mozambican president recently made a discreet trip to Kigali to meet his Rwandan counterpart. Their positive working relationship is centred around security and gas issues in Cabo Delgado.

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi in Prague, Czech Republic on 8 August 2023.
LogoSubscribers only Defence, Energy 05.02.2024
Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi in Prague, Czech Republic on 8 August 2023.

Spotlight | Mozambique
Mozambique LNG: TotalEnergies decision on force majeure imminent

The level of activity at the huge gas project in Cabo Delgado province suggests that legal barriers to an official resumption of work there could soon be lifted. But the French major is facing reservations from financial backers.

TotalEnergies CEO & Chairman Patrick Pouyanné in Paris on 8 January 2024.
LogoSubscribers only Energy 22.01.2024
TotalEnergies CEO & Chairman Patrick Pouyanné in Paris on 8 January 2024.

Spotlight | Madagascar, Mozambique
From Maputo to Antananarivo, new graphite sector in turmoil

Following the introduction of restrictions on graphite exports by China, buyers are turning to Madagascar and Mozambique, which have substantial reserves. Development is being hampered, however, by the security situation in Cabo Delgado and governance problems in Madagascar.

An origami crane made of graphene at Zhejiang University, China, 14 June 2017.
LogoSubscribers only Mining 17.01.2024
An origami crane made of graphene at Zhejiang University, China, 14 June 2017.

Mozambique
What next for EU training mission in Cabo Delgado?

The Mozambique mission has reached the end of its mandate and is waiting for new orders from the European Council.

LogoSubscribers only Defence 04.01.2024

Mozambique
TotalEnergies eyes January for Mozambique LNG relaunch

TotalEnergies is tentatively planning to relaunch Mozambique LNG next January if the security situation permits the long-awaited resumption of work on the site in Cabo Delgado province .

LogoSubscribers only Energy 13.11.2023

Spotlight | Mozambique
Mozambique LNG: army chief and defence minister's differing views on lifting of 'force majeure'

An announcement from French major TotalEnergies that it is ready to restart work in the Afungi Peninsula has been expected for months but does not have unanimous support among the Mozambican authorities, particularly those responsible for the country's security forces.

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, wearing military fatigues, on 24 September 2021 in Pemba, Cabo Delgado province, Mozambique, during a visit with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
LogoSubscribers only Energy 17.10.2023
Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, wearing military fatigues, on 24 September 2021 in Pemba, Cabo Delgado province, Mozambique, during a visit with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

Mozambique
Maputo lobbies EU for lethal arms to combat Cabo Delgado insurgents

The Mozambican armed forces are hoping to obtain lethal weaponry in addition to the military equipment that the Europeans are already supplying.

Free access Defence, Diplomacy 06.10.2023

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Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique.

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