MAPUTO – Mozambique’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Max Tonela, has emphasized the critical need to reaffirm financing commitments to facilitate the resumption of TotalEnergies‘ natural gas production project in Cabo Delgado province later this year.
During a meeting with financing agencies supporting TotalEnergies’ project in the Rovuma basin, Minister Tonela highlighted the pivotal role of export credit agencies in ensuring timely approvals for the project’s restart.
“TotalEnergies is taking steps to resume its project before the end of this year,” stated Tonela.
He emphasized the significance of the project, considering it a milestone in Mozambique’s, Africa’s, and the world’s history.
The project’s successful completion will contribute to equitable energy security during an unprecedented period of global crisis.
TotalEnergies had suspended its project in Cabo Delgado in the wake of an armed attack near the project’s facilities in March 2021, amid the escalating armed violence in the province.
CEO of TotalEnergies, Patrick Pouyanné, recently announced the company’s hopes to relaunch the project before the end of the year.
Cabo Delgado province, located in northern Mozambique, has grappled with a persistent armed insurgency for six years
Some attacks have been attributed to a local affiliate of the extremist group Islamic State.
Efforts to combat terrorism have been led by Mozambique’s armed forces, who have received support from contingents provided by Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) since July 2021.
The conflict in northern Mozambique has led to the displacement of approximately one million people, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and resulted in around 4,000 deaths, as reported by the ACLED conflict registration project.
Mozambique’s president recently acknowledged that there have been more than 2,000 deaths due to the conflict.
Minister Max Tonela’s call for swift financing commitments reflects the urgency of resuming the TotalEnergies gas project, which not only holds local significance but also serves as a key resource in a time of global crisis.
