President Daniel Chapo Says Mozambique Ready to Export Natural Gas to Kenya and Become Top Global LNG Producer
The President of Mozambique, Daniel Chapo, said on Thursday that the country is emerging as a strategic alternative supplier of natural gas to global markets, particularly within Africa, and signaled openness to exporting gas to Kenya through Mozambique’s port infrastructure.
“Gas can be exported from Mozambique to Kenya and benefit our brother country and the Kenyan people. Therefore, we truly see Mozambique as one of the global gas alternatives for Africa itself and, above all, for our neighboring countries,” President Chapo said while addressing journalists during a review of his recent official visit to Kenya.
Speaking at a joint press conference with his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto, Chapo highlighted the scale of Mozambique’s ongoing natural gas megaprojects.
He explained that once all major projects become operational, Mozambique is expected to rank among the world’s top five liquefied natural gas (LNG) producers, strengthening domestic industrial development while expanding export capacity.
To support this ambition, the president outlined plans to develop gas export infrastructure, including potential pipeline networks linked to key ports such as Port of Beira in central Mozambique, Port of Nacala in the north, and facilities in Cabo Delgado Province.
These logistics corridors could facilitate regional energy trade and supply neighboring markets, including Kenya.
“In this export process, African countries will benefit from this gas, and Kenya is a partner nation that has been working closely with us,” Chapo said. He added that Mozambique also holds significant coal reserves and has already engaged Kenyan business delegations interested in importing coal for industrial use, including cement production.
Mozambique currently has three approved large-scale liquefied natural gas development projects in the Rovuma Basin, located offshore in Cabo Delgado Province. These reserves are considered among the largest natural gas discoveries globally.
Two of the projects are based in the Afungi area. One is operated by TotalEnergies, while another is led by ExxonMobil. The ExxonMobil-led Rovuma LNG project is estimated to cost approximately US$30 billion and is expected to produce 18 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG once operational, pending a final investment decision.
In addition, the Italian energy company Eni has been producing roughly 7 mtpa of LNG since 2022 through the floating Coral Sul platform.
Production capacity is expected to double starting in 2028 with the development of the Coral Norte floating LNG platform, backed by an investment of about US$7.2 billion.
Together, these projects are set to transform Mozambique into a major global LNG exporter and a key energy supplier for regional and international markets over the coming decade.
