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Africa Intelligence

Running stories

From military glitches to development hitches, discover our ongoing coverage of the power struggles shaping the African continent.
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Transition in Guinea: what's next after the coup?

Transition in Guinea: what's next after the coup?

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William Ruto's new order

William Ruto's new order

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Africa in the Russia-Ukraine war

Africa in the Russia-Ukraine war

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

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 Nyusi has been prompted to seek foreign help.

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

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.

LogoSubscriber 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.

LogoSubscriber 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.
LogoSubscriber 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.

LogoSubscriber 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.

LogoSubscriber 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.

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

Mozambique
WBHO steams ahead on Mozambique LNG as TotalEnergies plays it safe

WBHO is pulling out all the stops at Afungi, which will soon become the largest liquefied gas processing zone in Africa. But the French major TotalEnergies, which is in charge of the development of the site, is playing it safe.

LogoSubscriber Energy 27.06.2023

Mozambique
Animosity between defence minister and army chief hobbles Cabo Delgado operations

The tense relationship between Defence Minister Cristovao Artur Chume and army chief of staff Joaquim Rivas Mangrasse, appears to be getting worse. The lack of chemistry between the two leading figures in Mozambique's defence apparatus is hampering military operations in the restive north of the country.

LogoSubscriber Defence 19.06.2023

Spotlight | Mozambique
Cabo Delgado LNG impact report troubles ExxonMobil and partners

A review of the socio-economic and humanitarian situation in the northern province has rattled the energy firms involved in the Afungi peninsula in Mozambique, where the future liquefaction trains will be located. They fear they will face increased costs if its recommendations are implemented.

The TotalEnergies Mozambique LNG Project in Afungi in Cabo Delgado province on 29 September 2022.
LogoSubscriber Energy 16.06.2023
The TotalEnergies Mozambique LNG Project in Afungi in Cabo Delgado province on 29 September 2022.

Mozambique
TotalEnergies sends security head to Mozambique on discreet mission

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

LogoSubscriber 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 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.
LogoSubscriber 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.
LogoSubscriber 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.

Spotlight | Mozambique
TotalEnergies quietly prepares for resumption of Mozambique LNG

The French major is discreetly preparing to resume developing the Mozambique LNG mega-complex in the troubled Cabo Delgado province.

The Managing Director of TotalEnergies in Mozambique, Maxime Rabilloud, and the Group's CEO, Patrick Pouyanné.
LogoSubscriber Energy 03.05.2023
The Managing Director of TotalEnergies in Mozambique, Maxime Rabilloud, and the Group's CEO, Patrick Pouyanné.

Mozambique
Monaco's ES-KO snags Smart Catering and contracts with Jindal and Schlumberger

Already active in a dozen African nations, Monaco-based ES-KO acquired Smart Catering, specialised in catering for mining and oil firms in Mozambique.

LogoSubscriber Mining 18.04.2023

Mozambique
ExxonMobil revises Rovuma LNG to reduce carbon footprint

The US oil company has decided to redesign its future liquefied natural gas (LNG) trains in Mozambique in order to reduce their carbon footprint. The major is keen to project an image of an environmentally virtuous project.

LogoSubscriber Energy 29.03.2023

Mozambique
Rwandan businesses pour into Cabo Delgado

Rwandan security and construction firms have been flooding into Cabo Delgado looking for business opportunities following Kigali's military intervention to secure the gas-rich Mozambican province.

LogoSubscriber Defence 23.03.2023

Mozambique
Brussels and Paris gift Zodiac Milpro coastguard vessels to Maputo

With European funds, the French defence parastatal Economat des Armées (EDA) is to supply eight Zodiac Milpro boats to reinforce Mozambique's coastguard. The service provider is muscling in on a security cooperation sector hitherto dominated by Expertise France.

LogoSubscriber Defence 10.03.2023

Mozambique
TotalEnergies and Saipem on hiring spree as Mozambique LNG set to resume

After a two-year hiatus, the Mozambique LNG mega-project in Cabo Delgado province looks set to get going again. TotalEnergies and its subcontractors have already resumed some activities and are on a hiring spree.

LogoSubscriber Energy 06.03.2023

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Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique.

Running story
Cabo Delgado: a gas Eldorado and security nightmare

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