Investor Momentum Builds as LNG Revival Reshapes Cabo Delgado’s Business Landscape
Cabo Delgado is experiencing a marked surge in business activity following the announcement of the resumption of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project in the Rovuma Basin.
The confirmation comes from the provincial representative of the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA).
Nearly four years after the Mozambique LNG project in Area 1 was halted due to terrorist attacks, the province’s economy is showing signs of revitalization.
“With the lifting of force majeure, we are already noticing increased activity in our province. We are seeing the arrival of entrepreneurs and new investments,” said Mamudo Irache, CTA’s representative in Cabo Delgado.
However, the influx of investors is raising concerns among local business owners, who fear heightened competition for the emerging opportunities linked to gas development in Area 1 of the Rovuma Basin.
“One of the causes of instability in any country is the lack of local content involvement. It makes no sense to advance major initiatives here without involving local youth—it only creates frustration,” said Josué Assane, a Cabo Delgado entrepreneur.
Beyond worries over limited access to business opportunities, local stakeholders are also concerned about the containment strategy planned for LNG operations in Afungi.
They argue that such measures could restrict local livelihoods and slow broader provincial development.
The General Inspectorate of Local Content has acknowledged these concerns and has pledged to ensure balanced and fair participation in all natural resource projects underway in the province.
Cabo Delgado is home to several large-scale initiatives, but the most significant business prospects remain tied to the LNG operations in Area 1 of the Rovuma Basin—one of the world’s most substantial natural gas reserves.
