Mozambique and Tanzania Regulators Sign MoU to Strengthen Oil and Gas Sector Governance and Expertise Sharing
Mozambique’s National Petroleum Institute of Mozambique (INP) and Tanzania’s Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Maputo to strengthen cooperation and build regulatory capacity in the oil and gas sector.
The agreement provides a framework for technical collaboration, allowing the two regulators to exchange knowledge, expertise and best practices in key areas, including petroleum data management, cost auditing, operational oversight, institutional development and regulatory harmonisation.
The MoU updates the previous cooperation framework between the INP and the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), following the transfer of regulatory responsibilities to PURA.
The new agreement aligns bilateral cooperation with Tanzania’s current regulatory structure and the evolving needs of the petroleum industry.
The partnership is particularly important given the close geographical relationship between Mozambique and Tanzania and the strategic significance of the Rovuma Basin, which hosts some of Southern Africa’s largest natural gas discoveries.
The agreement comes as Mozambique implements changes following approval of its updated Petroleum Law, which further strengthens the INP’s role as the country’s petroleum sector regulator.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, INP Board chairperson Nazário Bangalane said the success of the partnership would depend on effective implementation and measurable outcomes.
“The true value of this Memorandum lies not merely in the formal act of signing it, but above all in its effective implementation and the tangible results it can deliver in strengthening our institutions and ensuring the sustainable management of petroleum resources,” Bangalane said.
PURA Director General Charles Sangweni said cooperation between the two regulators would help improve sector governance through specialist exchanges and technical knowledge sharing, while supporting the protection of economic, social and environmental interests.
To oversee the implementation of the agreement, the two institutions will establish a 10-member Joint Monitoring Committee, with five representatives appointed by each organisation.
The committee will monitor progress, identify cooperation priorities and approve joint work plans.
The MoU will remain valid for an initial five years, with the option of renewal for an additional five years by mutual agreement.
