Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has extended a direct invitation to Brazilian investors and companies to participate in what he described as a “new phase of development” for Mozambique’s oil and gas sector, presenting the country’s vast energy potential to an international audience at the Rio Oil & Gas 2026 Forum.
Speaking at the opening of the forum organized by the Brazilian Institute of Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (IBP), Chapo called for partnerships capable of driving industrialization, technology transfer, workforce training, and the strengthening of Mozambican companies.
PRESENTING MOZAMBIQUE’S ENERGY POTENTIAL
The President presented Mozambique’s energy potential to Brazilian investors, estimated at approximately 180 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, with around 133 trillion cubic feet considered recoverable.
According to Chapo, this potential is complemented by hydroelectric, solar, and wind resources, offering the country the possibility of diversifying its energy mix and accelerating economic development.
In the Rovuma Basin, the Coral Sul, Coral Norte, Mozambique LNG, and Rovuma LNG projects represent investments estimated at around $50 billion, cementing the region’s status as a key frontier in Mozambique’s energy industry.
A NEW PHASE: BEYOND EXTRACTION
Chapo made clear that the government’s ambition extends beyond gas extraction and export. The new phase aims to link energy resources to industrialization, agriculture, fertilizer production, and job creation, seeking to ensure that a larger share of the value generated by natural resources remains within the national economy.
“We want to produce and export energy, but we want, above all, to use it to industrialize Mozambique, increase national production, develop agriculture and agribusiness, produce fertilizers, feed new industries, and create jobs,” Chapo said.
The President also announced that Mozambique is preparing a new round of licensing areas for hydrocarbon exploration and production, supported by more robust geological and geophysical data and a modernized regulatory framework.
ENERGY TRANSITION: “NO TRANSITION WITHOUT ENERGY”
Chapo used the forum to deliver a strong message on energy transition, arguing that reducing reliance on fossil fuels must not come at the expense of the energy needs of developing African nations.
“The energy transition cannot mean transition without energy. There will be no truly just transition if we build a world of clean energy for some and energy poverty for others”.
He advocated for the role of natural gas as a tool to meet Mozambique’s and Africa’s development needs, describing it as part of a “pragmatic and responsible” energy transition that balances environmental sustainability, access to electricity, and economic growth.
NEW PETROLEUM LAW AND LOCAL CONTENT
Chapo highlighted the approval of the Petroleum Law in June 2026, which aims to strengthen legal predictability, fiscal stability, regulatory transparency, and investor protection.
According to the President, the new legislation establishes a minimum quota of 25% of oil and gas for the domestic market and industrialization, destined for electricity generation, fertilizer and petrochemical production, and supplying new industries.
Local content was also presented as a priority, with Chapo defending greater participation of Mozambican companies in supply chains, accompanied by technology transfer and local capacity development.
“For Mozambique, exporting gas is part of the result, not the complete result,” he said, adding that the value of resources should also be measured by electricity produced, factories supplied, jobs created, and national companies developed.
BRAZIL AS A STRATEGIC PARTNER
Chapo pointed to Brazil as a partner with relevant experience, highlighting competencies in deepwater operations, subsea systems, large project engineering, manufacturing, offshore logistics, maintenance, and supplier chain development.
“We are not looking only for suppliers. We are looking for partners,” Chapo said, advocating for joint ventures, consortiums, and associations between Mozambican and Brazilian companies that combine technology and international experience with local knowledge.
The President welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding between Petrobras and Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH), expressing expectation that the agreement could open the way for a more significant presence of the Brazilian oil company in Mozambique.