Mozambique is once again in the global spotlight as TotalEnergies prepares to restart its massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) megaproject in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. After a four-year hiatus caused by a deadly combination of local insurgency, environmental concerns, and logistical challenges, the French energy giant is moving forward with a project that has been both hailed as a potential economic boon and criticised as a symbol of social and environmental risk.
The LNG project, one of the largest in Africa, represents billions of dollars in investment and the promise of thousands of jobs. For Mozambique, it is a chance to harness its natural gas reserves to drive economic growth, diversify its energy sector, and boost exports. Government officials have touted the project as a cornerstone of national development, highlighting the potential to fund infrastructure, education, and healthcare initiatives.
However, the path to production has been far from smooth. Cabo Delgado has been a flashpoint of violence since 2017, when Islamist militants began attacking villages, towns, and industrial sites. The insurgency displaced hundreds of thousands of people, causing humanitarian crises and making the area a challenging environment for industrial operations. TotalEnergies suspended parts of its operations as a result, citing security risks and logistical hurdles. The decision to resume work signals confidence in strengthened security arrangements, but critics warn that the risks remain substantial.
Environmental concerns also loom large. The project involves extensive offshore and onshore infrastructure, including pipelines, processing plants, and export terminals. Environmentalists argue that the development threatens delicate coastal ecosystems, fisheries, and local communities’ livelihoods. Protests and legal challenges have highlighted fears that LNG exploitation could exacerbate climate change, pollute marine habitats, and disrupt traditional fishing practices that have sustained local populations for generations.
Local communities, meanwhile, are cautiously optimistic but wary. Some residents hope for employment opportunities and improved local services resulting from the project, while others remain skeptical, citing previous experiences where promised benefits were slow to materialise. Displacement, land acquisition disputes, and questions about fair compensation have all fueled tensions between multinational companies, the Mozambican government, and affected populations. TotalEnergies has pledged community engagement programs, training initiatives, and local hiring, but the success of these measures will depend on consistent follow-through.
Economically, the project is a high-stakes bet. Mozambique’s economy has struggled with debt, inflation, and limited diversification. LNG exports could provide a significant boost, generating foreign currency, creating jobs, and attracting further investment. Analysts, however, caution that global energy markets are volatile. Prices fluctuate, and a sudden downturn could threaten project profitability and government revenues, particularly if the country becomes heavily dependent on a single commodity.
The geopolitical dimension cannot be ignored. TotalEnergies’ project has attracted attention from the United States, the European Union, and regional powers, all of whom view Mozambique’s gas reserves as strategically important. Investments from multinationals like TotalEnergies signal confidence in Mozambique’s long-term stability, yet they also make the country a focal point for competition and scrutiny in the global energy landscape. Security arrangements, including private contractors and government forces, are under constant observation to prevent sabotage, insurgent attacks, or industrial accidents.
Mozambique’s LNG gamble is therefore a balancing act between opportunity and risk. On one hand, it promises economic transformation, foreign investment, and energy sector development. On the other, it raises questions about security, environmental sustainability, and equitable social impact. The coming months will be critical as TotalEnergies ramps up operations and local stakeholders monitor both the tangible benefits and potential hazards of this ambitious project.
In conclusion, the restart of Mozambique’s LNG megaproject underscores the complex interplay of economics, security, and environmental responsibility in modern energy development. TotalEnergies is betting big, hoping that its investments will pay off and contribute to national prosperity. Yet the shadow of past disruptions, insurgency, and ecological concern serves as a stark reminder that mega-projects in fragile regions are never without risk. For Mozambique, the stakes could not be higher: success could usher in decades of growth and opportunity, while failure could deepen inequality, instability, and environmental degradation. The world watches closely as this African energy gamble unfolds, illustrating the tightrope nations walk when ambition meets adversity.
