Mozambique’s Energy Chamber has announced it will not participate in the Africa Energies Summit in London this May, accusing the event’s organisers of discriminatory hiring practices and a lack of diversity.
The summit, organised by Frontier Energy Network, is a high-profile annual gathering that brings together African governments, international oil companies and investors to discuss energy development across the continent.
Despite its focus on Africa, critics say the event’s leadership has resisted calls to disclose workforce diversity data or commit to hiring black professionals.
Mozambique Energy Chamber president Florival Mucave said the withdrawal was prompted by the refusal of summit organisers to address concerns over exclusionary practices.
“In 2026, this is not the behaviour we expect from anyone who uses the name Africa and our oil and gas sector… Our members will not be going to London,” Mucave said.
The move carries weight given Mozambique’s rising role in the global gas market.
The country has made some of the largest natural gas discoveries in recent decades and is advancing major liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects after years of delays.
TotalEnergies restarted construction of its Mozambique LNG project in January, mobilising thousands of workers, while ExxonMobil’s Rovuma LNG project is progressing towards a final investment decision this year.
Eni’s Coral Norte floating LNG facility is also on track to begin operations in 2028.
Mucave linked the chamber’s decision to broader debates over local content and community involvement in Mozambique’s energy sector, warning that exclusionary practices undermine trust and risk destabilising progress.
“The message about the oil industry should not be about regression on local content – it should be about addressing the unfortunate ideology of African energy events that black professionals are seemingly not good enough for,” he said.
Mozambique’s withdrawal highlights a wider push across Africa to ensure that energy development is inclusive and representative.
JN/APA