ExxonMobil has restarted its massive natural gas project in northern Mozambique, lifting the force majeure on its Rovuma LNG development after a three-year suspension. According to Jacaranda FM News, the company is now advancing toward a final investment decision in 2026, with production expected to begin around 2030.
The decision marks a significant shift for the multibillion-dollar project, which was halted in 2021 following escalating attacks by insurgent groups in the Cabo Delgado region. The Islamist insurgency, active since 2017, has left thousands dead and displaced more than a million people. The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) has previously warned that violence and instability have created major economic and humanitarian pressures in the province.
Security remains a defining factor as the project resumes. Club of Mozambique reported that ExxonMobil continues to coordinate closely with the Mozambican government to ensure the safety of workers and infrastructure. Company executives have stressed that long-term stability is essential for the full return of international operators to the region.
The economic implications for Mozambique are considerable. Cabo Delgado’s offshore reserves are among the largest natural gas finds in the world, and successful LNG production could provide billions in government revenue over the coming decades. World Finance magazine has noted that while the sector has the potential to boost national growth, ensuring that local communities benefit from gas development remains crucial to avoiding further resentment and marginalization issues that have contributed to regional tensions.
Delays have come at a price. According to Tell Magazine in Kenya, interruptions linked to the insurgency have added an estimated US$4.5 billion to project costs. Despite this, confidence in Mozambique’s LNG future is re-emerging. TotalEnergies, which suspended its neighbouring project in 2021 for security reasons, has also indicated interest in restarting operations if conditions continue to improve.
The revival of ExxonMobil’s Rovuma LNG project signals renewed momentum for Mozambique’s gas ambitions, even as the country grapples with the complex challenge of stabilising a region still affected by conflict.
