MOZAMBIQUE LIFTS FORCE MAJEURE
The restart of the Mozambique LNG project marks an important step forward for one of Southern Africa's largest energy developments.
The Mozambique LNG consortium has lifted the force majeure that had been in place since 2021, allowing work to resume on the major liquefied natural gas development in Cabo Delgado.
Force majeure was originally declared in April 2021 following the deterioration of the security situation in northern Cabo Delgado. Project personnel were withdrawn from the Afungi site and construction activities were suspended. TotalEnergies.com
After more than four years, the consortium decided on 7 November 2025 to lift the force majeure and resume project activities. The full restart was formally announced in Afungi on 29 January 2026 by Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo and TotalEnergies Chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné. TotalEnergies.com
Work returns to Afungi
Construction has now restarted both onshore and offshore. At the time of the January announcement, more than 4,000 workers had already been mobilised, including more than 3,000 Mozambican nationals. TotalEnergies.com
The Mozambican government also confirmed its commitment to supporting the restart, including continued measures relating to security and cooperation with Rwanda. TotalEnergies.com
Mozambique LNG is located in Area 1 of the Rovuma Basin and represents an investment of approximately US$15.4 billion. Mozambique’s National Petroleum Institute describes the project as strategically important to the country’s natural gas sector and to economic activity in Cabo Delgado. INP
A significant development for Mozambique
The resumption of such a large infrastructure project has implications beyond the LNG facilities themselves. Major developments of this scale create demand across construction, logistics, transport, accommodation, services and local supply chains.
For businesses operating in Mozambique, the restart therefore represents a significant milestone after several years of uncertainty surrounding the project.
The return of thousands of workers to the project also demonstrates the scale of activity now returning to Afungi, while the high proportion of Mozambican workers highlights the importance of local participation in the development. TotalEnergies.com
The lifting of force majeure does not erase the challenges that affected the project or the wider Cabo Delgado region. It does, however, allow one of Mozambique’s most significant development projects to move forward again.
For Mozambique and businesses supporting the country’s resource and infrastructure sectors, the restart of Mozambique LNG represents an important new chapter.
Source Links:
Mozambique LNG — Full restart of project activities
And the official Mozambican government petroleum regulator provides the local-government perspective: