CHEF OF STATE REFORMS OF THE LAW OF THE PETROLEUM AND THE LAW OF THE LOCAL CONTENT IN THE INVESTMENT ATTRACT
Rio de Janeiro
The President of the Republic, Daniel Francisco Chapo, spoke as main speaker at the opening ceremony of the Forum Rio Oil, Gas and Energy (ROG.e 2026), in Rio de Janeiro, on 21 September today, at the invitation of the Brazilian Institute of Oil, Gas and Biofuels. Under the theme "From Discovery to Transformation: The Second Generation of the Energy History of Mozambique", the Head of State presented before investors, PETROBRAS leaders and representatives of Brazilian governments the country's vision of energy evolution for a sustainable future, at a time when fifty years of diplomatic relations between Mozambique and Brazil are marked.
The President recalled that Mozambique has natural gas resources of a global size, about 180 trillion cubic feet, of which 133 trillion are recoverable, with a power generation potential exceeding 196 GW, the largest in Africa. He warned, however, that "having natural resources is not synonymous with development": resources only become real wealth when they generate productive capacity, knowledge, robust businesses and employment, especially for youth and women.
This is the challenge that sustains what the Head of State has designated as the second generation of Mozambique's energy history. After a first stage marked by Pande, Búzi and Temane's discoveries and the start of commercial production in 2004, the country now wants to go further: continue to discover, but also industrialize, attract capital, develop Mozambican companies and build national knowledge and skills, with projects such as the South Coral FLNG, the North Coral, the LNG Mozambique and the LNG Rovuma, which predict investments in the order of 50 billion dollars.
To support this transformation, President Chapo highlighted the new Oil Law, passed in June, which sends "a clear and unequivocal message to the market": Mozambique wants investment and is committed to ensuring legal predictability, fiscal stability, regulatory transparency and legal protection for investors, preserving acquired rights and respect for contracts, assured the Head of State.
The Head of State also underlined the Local Content Act, approved as a "business development policy" rather than as a mere administrative obligation, aimed at creating Mozambican companies capable of providing goods and services, training technicians and engineers and ensuring effective technology transfer. "Local content, for us, does not mean closing the market," he said, appealing to more joint ventures, consortia and partnerships between Mozambican, Brazilian and other nationalities companies.
In addressing investors, financial institutions and industry leaders gathered in Rio, President Chapo left a direct invitation: to follow closely the new exploratory border of Mozambique, which goes beyond the Rovuma Basin and includes the Mozambique Basin, Angoche, the Zambeze Delta and other onshore and offshore areas in different degrees of exploratory maturity.
"Look at Mozambique in Africa (...) for Mozambique that we are building for the next few years and we want to build together," said the Head of State, reaffirming the country's readiness for a long-term strategic partnership with Brazil and the rest of the world within the second generation of its energy history.
It should be noted that the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Petroleum Institute, Nazario Bangalane, is one of the panelists highlighted at the event that will be held until the 24th of the current month.
Information: INP Headquarters: 259, Maputo. Contacts: 21248300 | comunicacao@inp.gov.mz Visit our networks: LinkedIn – Facebook
