Following persistent operational delays caused by the increasing insurgency in Mozambique’s northern area, TotalEnergies is considering resuming operations at its Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) plant. Last week, Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), stated that the protracted interruption, while delaying the project by a year, is not expected to influence its long-term profitability.

The AfDB is eager to see TotalEnergies return to the country and resume operations at one of Africa’s most lucrative development projects, having provided $400 million in guarantees and direct lending to the project. He said: “The return of security in that place will give assurances to Total and others to return. In one year to 18 months, I expect it to be stabilized enough to get back on track.”

TotalEnergies has announced the appointment of Maxime Rabilloud as the new country manager for Mozambique. Rabilloud replaces Ronan Bescond in the role and is expected to use his wealth of experience in both the company and complex projects to drive the projects success.

The possibility of resuming comes after the Southern African Development Community deployed armed personnel to help pacify the region. The government, in collaboration with the international community, has been working hard to reestablish security at the country’s developing LNG projects since TotalEnergies declared force majeure in April 2021, having already pulled their staff out of the Cabo Delgado area in January 2021 due to security threats posed by the insurgency. Also, the Rwandan army has successfully recaptured the Mozambican port city of Mocimboa Da Praia, leading to returning optimism regarding regional stability and the return of international oil companies.