Estêvão Tomás Rafael Pale, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy of Mozambique, has been confirmed to participate in African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 on behalf of H.E. Daniel Francisco Chapo, President of the Republic of Mozambique. His participation provides investors with direct access to the government leadership overseeing Mozambique’s efforts to monetize its world-class gas resources, expand electricity access and position the country as a major regional energy hub.
AEW is timely with Mozambique advancing its National Electrification and Just Energy Transition strategies, leveraging natural gas and renewables to expand electricity access from 60% to universal coverage by 2030.
Central to these strategies is a concerted push to accelerate the development of Mozambique’s 160-plus trillion cubic feet of natural gas through strategic international partnerships. Flagship developments – including TotalEnergies’ $20 billion Mozambique LNG, ExxonMobil’s Rovuma LNG Phase One, and Eni’s Coral North FLNG – are cementing the nation’s position as a vital regional and global gas supplier.
In a major step forward for the Chapo administration’s energy agenda, ExxonMobil issued a letter of intent to McDermott for engineering and procurement services on the Rovuma LNG Phase One project. The award signals accelerating momentum ahead of an anticipated final investment decision (FID) later this year.
Further driving this momentum, Technip Energies secured an engineering and procurement contract in June for the Eni-led Coral Norte FLNG project. This follows the African Development Bank’s $150 million financing approval earlier this year, underscoring robust institutional confidence in Mozambique’s gas sector. Capitalizing on this growth, Eni has launched an international tender for a third FLNG platform at the Rovuma project to help meet global energy demand.
TotalEnergies’ January restart of the Mozambique LNG project marked a major turning point for the nation’s energy sector. Set to create over 17,000 jobs during construction, the development will strengthen energy security, boost government revenues, and drive local workforce development.
These gas developments will be pivotal in enhancing domestic energy reliability, directly supporting Mozambique’s goal to expand clean cooking access from 17% today to 54% by 2030. Against this backdrop, AEW provides an ideal platform for Minister Pale to highlight these flagship projects, present policy reforms designed to fast-track discoveries, and showcase high-yield opportunities for global investors across the supply chain.
Mozambique’s investment potential extends well beyond oil and gas. To reinforce grid security following a recent El Niño drought that reduced hydropower capacity by 25%, the country is actively expanding its power infrastructure and targeting an 80.6% renewable energy share by 2032. Key developments driving this transition include the 450 MW Temane Thermal Plant and the 1,500 MW Mphanda Nkuwa Hydroelectric Project.
To position itself as a regional power hub, Mozambique is also constructing a 400 kV transmission backbone to connect its Northern, Central, and Southern regions while expanding cross-border interconnectors. With the country seeking $18.6 billion to fund its broader power sector reforms, AEW 2026 offers Minister Pale an ideal platform to negotiate deals and secure strategic investor partnerships.
“Mozambique is a blueprint for how rich oil and gas resources, a favorable business environment, and strong government resolve combine to optimize energy development,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “The country’s gas sector offers immense potential to create jobs for youth and enable local businesses to thrive.”
At AEW, Minister Pale will participate in high-level panel discussions and exclusive networking sessions, connecting global investors directly with emerging opportunities across Mozambique’s energy sector.
