Mozambique’s private sector is urging local businesses to swiftly prepare for major contract opportunities following the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Coral Norte floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.
The Confederation of Economic Associations (CTA), representing the private sector, released a statement emphasizing the project’s importance, calling the investment “a sign of confidence from international investors and renewed hope for Mozambicans.”
The Coral Norte project, valued at $7.2 billion, is a replica of the operational Coral South platform. It will be located in Area 4 of the Rovuma Basin, off the coast of Cabo Delgado, and is expected to double Mozambique’s natural gas production to seven million tonnes per annum (mtpa) starting in 2028.
Local Content Opportunities
The project partners—including Eni, Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH), CNPC, Kogas, and XRG—have reserved substantial contracts for national companies.
President Daniel Chapo urged local firms to seize the “unique opportunity,” stating that $800 million in contracts are reserved for national companies in the first six years, a figure that could reach $3 billion over the entire 30-year life of the project.
The CTA underscored that the project will directly improve the living conditions of approximately 100,000 people in Cabo Delgado through economic revitalization and job creation.
“This is the right time for the Mozambican private sector to prepare and train itself, becoming competitive and integrated into global supply chains,” the CTA statement read.
Global Energy Significance
The investment comes as Mozambique takes steps toward economic recovery. The project will solidify the country’s position as a major natural gas producer and an important player in meeting global LNG demand, doubling its contribution to international energy security. Eni’s Executive Director, Claudio Descalzi, confirmed that production is slated to begin within three years, which will make Mozambique the third-largest LNG producer in Africa.
Coral Norte joins two other massive LNG projects planned for the Rovuma Basin: one led by TotalEnergies (13 mtpa), which is working toward resuming operations after a security-related suspension, and another by ExxonMobil (18 mtpa), which awaits an FID.
