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A new IMF programme, six years after the ‘tuna bonds’ scandal erupted, points to Filipe Nyusi’s success at surviving through difficult times but, with just two years left before his second term ends, the president still has to show he has created an environment able to deliver LNG mega-projects, as the insurgent challenge continues and rival factions line up for a succession, writes Tom Bowker.

The first cargo from Eni’s Coral Sul floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) plant is expected to be shipped in early November and will be sent to European markets.

Development of the long-awaited 1.5GW Mphanda Nkuwa hydroelectric power (HEP) plant is about to take an important step forward, with selection of a majority partner in the $5bn project expected by year-end.

Mozambique is among the sub-Saharan countries that has been making progress installing more power transmission capacity, with new lines connecting under-served centres to improve state utility Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM)’s grid.

Family-owned local conglomerate Groupe Filatex is spending roughly $96m to develop a pipeline of renewable energy projects that will consolidate its position as one of Madagascar’s leading private energy suppliers.

Eni’s Coral Sul floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) plant began production of LNG on 2 October, African Energy understands from industry sources. The cargo – Mozambique and Coral Sul’s first liquefied natural gas exports – will be collected by the 174,000m3 BW Lesmes tanker, owned by Singapore-headquartered BW Group.

Uganda is planning an oil licensing round in 2023, as it seeks to develop its petroleum sector, mineral development and energy minister Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu told an oil and gas conference in Kampala on 27 September. African Energy examines this news and provides a roundup of other bid rounds across Africa.

Presidents Samia Suluhu Hassan and Filipe Nyusi on 20 September announced agreements to enhance defence and hydrocarbon co-operation between Tanzania and Mozambique.

Mozambique’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports are expected to be dispatched “on or around” 14 October, shipping industry publication Trade Winds said on 21 September citing sources working with Eni’s Coral Sul 3.4m t/yr floating liquid natural gas (FLNG) plant. The Rome-headquartered supermajor is said to be moving towards ordering a second FLNG vessel.

The European Union intends to support The Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) mission in Cabo Delgado with an amount equivalent to the €15m ($15m) that the European Council recently committed to the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (Samim), EU high representative Josep Borrell said in Maputo on 8 September.

Eni’s Coral Sul floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) platform will dispatch its first cargo “within a few days”, EU high representative Josep Borrell said on 8 September. The senior EU diplomat was talking in Maputo, where he also committed European backing to the Rwanda military mission to Mozambique.

Dublin-based Kenmare Resources has appointed former Tullow Oil chief financial officer Tom Hickey as its new financial director and executive director. London Stock Exchange- and Euronext Dublin-listed Kenmare’s main focus is its titanium and zircon operation at the Moma mine in northern Mozambique.

Maputo is battling not only a protracted Islamist insurgency in the north, but also a dire economic situation, which all the talk of future gas revenues and governance improvements does little to assuage. The economy contracted in 2020, compounding the impact of underwhelming growth in the years preceding the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Cabo Delgado insurgency has demonstrated the limited capabilities of Mozambique’s police and army. While Portuguese and US forces have been training Mozambican troops, it will be months, if not years, before these forces are ready to shoulder the burden.

Military power may have subdued Cabo Delgado’s jihadist insurgency, but an atmosphere of pervasive insecurity persists with consequences for major liquefied natural gas projects. TotalEnergies-operated Mozambique LNG is still under force majeure, while ExxonMobil is looking to alter its Rovuma LNG design and Eni is proposing adding a second phase to the offshore Coral Sul, writes Marc Howard.