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A first SADC military contingent has withdrawn from northern Mozambique, and the rest are due to follow suit by the end of July.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

Mozambique
Discord between TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil on LNG in Afungi

TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil, the two majors operating the two gas projects in Cabo Delgado, are unable to find common ground. The French company would like to reopen negotiations, unlike the American company.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 18.09.2023

Mozambique
Mozambique seeking attack drones for Cabo Delgado

To support its troops battling insurgents in Cabo Delgado, the Mozambican military is looking for attack drones. After rejecting Turkish UAVs because of supply delays, it is now looking at Chinese suppliers. France's I-SEE Group may also throw its hat into the ring.

LogoSubscribers only Defence 11.09.2023

Spotlight | Mozambique
TotalEnergies pressured into restarting work on Mozambique LNG

French oil major TotalEnergies should end the suspense in a matter of weeks. The resumption of work on its gas liquefaction plant is now expected shortly by its numerous contractors and the Mozambican government.

Patrick Pouyanné in Paris, 29 August 2023.
LogoSubscribers only Energy 05.09.2023
Patrick Pouyanné in Paris, 29 August 2023.

Mozambique
In rare alliance, EDF and TotalEnergies team up to build Mphanda Nkuwa hydroelectric dam

In Mozambique, the consortium bringing together EDF and TotalEnergies is currently negotiating concession agreements for the Mphanda Nkuwa dam construction project.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 04.09.2023

Mozambique
EUTM-Mozambique military training mission set to be extended

In an attempt to address the difficulties being experienced by Mozambican special forces in Cabo Delgado, the mandate of the European training mission looks likely to be renewed.

LogoSubscribers only Defence 30.08.2023

Mozambique
Ex-Tullow top exec Tim O'Hanlon to advise True North

Tim O'Hanlon, who headed up Tullow Oil's African operations for thirty years, is starting a new chapter with True North, a service provider that is working with TotalEnergies in Mozambique.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 18.08.2023

Spotlight | Mozambique
Intelligence and military exasperated by omnipresent Rwandan forces in Cabo Delgado

The near 2,500 Rwandan soldiers and police officers deployed in Cabo Delgado province are increasingly unpopular within the Mozambican armed forces. However, they continue to have the support of the local population.

A Rwandan soldier patrols in Mocímboa da Praia, in the Cabo Delgado province, Mozambique, on 27 September 2022.
LogoSubscribers only Defence 18.07.2023
A Rwandan soldier patrols in Mocímboa da Praia, in the Cabo Delgado province, Mozambique, on 27 September 2022.

Mozambique
TotalEnergies sends security head to Mozambique on discreet mission

Denis Favier, a retired gendarmerie general who has been head [...]

LogoSubscribers only Energy 13.06.2023

Mozambique
Roeland van de Geer seeks to kick-start Cabo Delgado mediation

Seeking to set in train a political dialogue, the EU's former ambassador in Pretoria recently tested the waters in South Africa and Tanzania before travelling to Maputo and Cabo Delgado. His initiative is by no means an isolated one.

Former Dutch ambassador Roeland van de Geer.
Free access Diplomacy 25.05.2023
Former Dutch ambassador Roeland van de Geer.

Mozambique
EU plans to financially support SADC troops in Cabo Delgado

The European Union provided financial aid to Rwandan forces in Cabo Delgado last year, and is now planning to help troops from southern African nations deployed in the troubled Mozambican province.

A South African National Defense Force military convoy in the Maringanha district of Pemba in 2021.
LogoSubscribers only Defence 22.05.2023
A South African National Defense Force military convoy in the Maringanha district of Pemba in 2021.

Spotlight | Mozambique
Viability of SADC force in Cabo Delgado in doubt

Deployed since 2021 in the Mozambican province, the regional force is in serious financial difficulties according to an internal report seen by Africa Intelligence.

A military convoy of South Africa National Defence Forces (SANDF), part of the SAMIM, in the Maringanha district in Pemba on 5 August 2021.
LogoSubscribers only Defence 19.05.2023
A military convoy of South Africa National Defence Forces (SANDF), part of the SAMIM, in the Maringanha district in Pemba on 5 August 2021.

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Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique.

Running story
Cabo Delgado: a gas Eldorado and security nightmare


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