One of Africa’s biggest natural gas opportunities is entering a defining phase, but Mozambique’s local businesses have been told they cannot rely on government protection to secure a share of the country’s multibillion-dollar LNG industry.
With more than $50 billion in planned investments across the Rovuma Basin, Mozambique is positioning itself as Africa’s next major liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter.
The projects promise thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in spending on engineering, logistics, construction, transport, catering and other services.
The bigger question, however, is how much of that wealth will stay in Mozambique. Eni Mozambique’s General Manager, Marica Calabrese, says the answer depends less on legislation and more on whether local companies can compete with international suppliers.
“Companies cannot just ask for laws to ensure they get contracts with international operators. Each company has to work on itself to become competitive,” Calabrese said during the 21st Annual Private Sector Conference (CASP) in Maputo.
