Mozambique LNG restarts onshore, offshore activities after force majeure lift

(WO) - Mozambique LNG has fully resumed onshore and offshore activities following the formal lifting of force majeure that had been in place since 2021, marking a major step toward restarting one of Africa’s largest liquefied natural gas projects. 

Project operator TotalEnergies said construction work has restarted at the Afungi site in northern Mozambique after the consortium’s November 2025 decision to lift force majeure, citing improved security conditions and continued cooperation between the Mozambican government and regional security partners, including Rwanda.

More than 4,000 workers are currently mobilized across onshore and offshore activities, with Mozambican nationals accounting for over 3,000 of the workforce. The project is now approximately 40% complete, with most engineering and procurement activities having been executed during the suspension period. First LNG is now targeted for 2029.

TotalEnergies Chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné met with Mozambican President Daniel Chapo in Afungi to formally announce the restart. Pouyanné said the resumption reflects progress on security and coordination with national authorities and positions the project to move forward after several years of delay.

The government of Mozambique reaffirmed its support for the project and committed to continued collaboration to address issues arising from the force majeure period. President Chapo said the restart is expected to have a significant impact on employment and reinforces Mozambique’s role in global LNG markets.

During peak construction, Mozambique LNG is expected to employ up to 7,000 Mozambicans. Contracts awarded to local companies are projected to exceed $4 billion over the life of the project, according to TotalEnergies. In parallel, the Mozambique LNG Foundation—established in 2023 with a $200-million endowment—has launched community development initiatives in Cabo Delgado province, including support for agriculture, fisheries and local employment.

Once complete, the Mozambique LNG project is expected to position the country as a major LNG exporter and a key supplier to global gas markets.