ExxonMobil promises to integrate Mozambican companies into megaproject

ExxonMobil assured business leaders in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique, today that local companies will be included in commercial opportunities arising from the Rovuma LNG gas project, for which a final investment decision is expected this year. “When the project moves past the final investment decision, vendor events like this will be held regularly to ensure the inclusion and broad participation of interested [local] companies looking to enter the project supply chain,” said Lauren Glushik, quoted in a statement released by the Provincial Executive Council of Cabo Delgado. According to the same statement, the executive highlighted that the development of Mozambican companies will be essential to the success of the ExxonMobil-led Rovuma LNG project, advocating for greater national participation in the supply chain.

The Governor of Cabo Delgado, Valige Tauabo, stated for his part that the provincial executive will continue working with partners to build a favorable environment for private sector development, job creation, and inclusive economic growth. Mozambique has three approved projects to exploit the natural gas reserves of the Rovuma Basin, off the coast of Cabo Delgado, which are considered among the largest in the world. The Coral Sul project, led by Eni, is currently the only one in production, having started in 2022.

Last October, investment was also approved for the second floating liquefied natural gas platform, Coral Norte, valued at 7.2 billion dollars (6.2 billion euros), which is expected to double production to seven million tons per year of liquefied natural gas (LNG) starting in 2028, with a third unit currently under study. Following a four-year suspension caused by insecurity stemming from armed attacks in Cabo Delgado, Area 1’s Mozambique LNG project—led by TotalEnergies and valued at 20 billion dollars (17.4 billion euros)—officially resumed in January and projects production of up to 13 million tons per year of LNG starting in 2029. Next is Area 4’s Rovuma LNG project, estimated at 30 billion dollars (26.1 billion euros), whose construction and operation will be led by ExxonMobil as the designated project operator, with a planned production capacity of 18 million tons per year after 2030.

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“We are making good progress with Exxon,” stated the Mozambican Head of State in an interview with Lusa on July 14. “We are working so that, if all goes well, by September of this year, 2026, we can also sign the final investment decision. We are talking about the largest private investment project on the African continent,” he emphasized.

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