The project has been hailed as the largest private investment in Africa’s energy sector.
by Blue Africa News
French multinational energy company TotalEnergies SE and its partners are lifting the force majeure on Mozambique’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, paving the way for work to resume on the Southeast Africa nation’s export terminal.
In 2021, TotalEnergies halted the US$20 billion LNG project, hailed as the largest private investment in Africa’s energy sector.
“The Mozambique LNG consortium has taken the decision to lift the force majeure and the Mozambican presidency was officially informed on Friday by means of a protocol letter,” TotalEnergies said in a press statement.
Lifting of the force majeure however comes with a rider, with the Mozambican government required to approve an addendum before take-off.
“As a final step before fully relaunching the project, Mozambique’s Council of Ministers needs to approve an addendum to the plan of development with the updated budget and schedule,” the statement added.
The project, observers say, promises to help transform the country’s economy upon full implementation.
“This is an important moment for Mozambique’s energy sector,” observed Prof. Adriano Nuvunga, Chairperson of the Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN).
He however noted that economic restoration cannot be separated from justice and community wellbeing with the project area having faced insurgency since 2017, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recently stating that nearly 100,000 people have been displaced since September, 2025.
“For the project to deliver legitimate, lasting benefits, negotiations must be accompanied by clear safeguards: transparent contract disclosure, robust accountability mechanisms, and binding guarantees that local communities, especially those directly affected, receive fair, measurable development outcomes.”
He noted that sustainable investment depends on security that “protects human rights, not one that externalizes security costs onto public budgets while leaving communities exposed.”
Oliver Ochieng, Blue Africa News