The Mozambique Energy Chamber (MEC) has called for active participation of local companies in the country’s burgeoning oil and gas industry, which has been largely dominated by foreign players.
This appeal was made by MEC chairman Florival Mucave during the Invest in African Energies: Mozambique Roundtable, held by the African Energy Chamber (AEC).
Mucave emphasised the importance of expanding local footprints in the market.
“Now is the time for Mozambican players to expand their market presence,” Mucave said.
He highlighted that ongoing projects and new investments presented significant opportunities for increased local participation and overall industry growth.
Historically, few Mozambican firms have participated in licensing rounds due to the industry’s infancy and the limited experience of local companies.
However, Mucave pointed to key projects such as Eni’s Coral North, ExxonMobil’s Area 4 development and TotalEnergies’ Mozambique LNG initiatives as prime opportunities for local firms to integrate into the industry.
“The industry is extremely capital-intensive. Large multinational players have dominated past licensing rounds because they possess the necessary capital and expertise. Now, it is time for Mozambicans to expand their footprint by collaborating with international partners to ensure meaningful participation,” Mucave said.
Mucave also called on the Mozambican government to create an enabling environment that facilitates private sector participation.
“Although Mozambique is rich in natural resources, that alone is not enough. To develop the industry and the country, we need to build our capabilities and acquire the necessary skills to actively participate,” Mucave asserted.
Highlighting the chamber’s efforts to boost local participation, Mucave noted that the MEC acts as a hub for both foreign and domestic firms.
Its mission includes incubating small businesses and developing them into small to medium enterprises capable of operating within the sector, driving growth and establishing partnerships that propel industry expansion.
The roundtable served as a precursor to the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference.
AEC is set to return to Cape Town from September 29 to October 3 and is expected to feature high-level panel discussions, country and project showcases and exclusive networking sessions.
JN/APA