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Mozambique Oil Industry Withdraws from London Africa Energies Summit Over Local Content Concerns

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7 months ago

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African Energy Chamber

Home to come of the continent’s largest gas discoveries, Mozambique is emerging as an increasingly more prominent voice on the global gas stage

LONDON, United Kingdom, March 17, 2026/APO Group/ –Mozambique’s oil and gas industry has announced that it will withdraw from participating at the Africa Energies Summit – hosted by Frontier Energy Network in London this May – citing concerns over the treatment of Black professionals and broader local content issues linked to the event’s organizers. The decision reflects mounting frustration among Mozambican and African industry stakeholders who argue that platforms claiming to represent Africa’s energy sector must reflect the values of inclusion, fairness and local participation that increasingly shape the continent’s energy agenda.

 

The decision to withdraw was driven by concerns that the Summit’s leadership has failed to address repeated calls to improve diversity and transparency around hiring practices. African Energies Summit earns most of its revenues from Africa, yet its pattern of discrimination amounts to an intentional lock-out of Black professionals. Gayle Meikle from Ireland and Daniel Davidson from Scotland have resisted calls to disclose workforce diversity data and have also refused to end the policy of not hiring Black professionals and set out a plan for diversity.

“In 2026, this is not the behavior that we expect from anyone who uses the name Africa and our oil and gas sector. The behavior of Gayle Meikle and Daniel Davidson towards the hiring of Black professionals is something that many Mozambicans and Africans find offensive. Our members will not be going to London,” stated Florival Mucave, President of the Mozambique Energy Chamber.

The withdrawal carries particular weight given Mozambique’s rising influence in the global gas market. The country is home to some of the largest natural gas discoveries in recent decades and is rapidly emerging as one of Africa’s most prominent voices in the LNG industry. Despite delays, Mozambique’s biggest projects are now returning to the development pipeline.

We don’t want environments where young Mozambicans will be discriminated upon solely based on their skin color and not on their qualifications or merits from experience

The TotalEnergies-led Mozambique LNG project achieved a full restart across its onshore and offshore activities in January 2026, following the lifting of force majeure in 2025. Construction activities has now resumed, with over 4,000 workers – 3,000 of which are Mozambican – mobilized. First LNG production is on track for 2029, with $4 billion contracts awarded to Mozambican companies. Force majeure for the ExxonMobil-led Rovuma LNG project was also lifted in 2025. The 18-million-ton-per-annum (mtpa) project is now advancing toward FID in 2026.

“Mozambique understands all too well what it means when citizens are not happy with the oil and gas sector. We saw a response with the uprising in the north that stalled major gas projects. Our country is experiencing big debates around local content and community involvement,” stated Mucave.

These milestones come as major offshore projects make headway. Following the start of operations at the Eni-led Coral Sul FLNG facility in 2022, the company is now advancing the Coral Norte FLNG project. In 2025, Coral Norte reached FID, with the 3.4 mtpa facility on track to begin operations in 2028. Project advancements reflect the country’s commitment to addressing the challenges that delayed projects.

“At a time when we are restarting mega gas projects and pushing for drilling and action from our politicians, the message about the oil industry should not be about regression on local content – it should be about addressing the unfortunate ideology of African energy events that Black professionals are seemingly not good enough for. We have worked with the oil and gas industry to promote STEM education and it is working. We don’t want environments where young Mozambicans will be discriminated upon solely based on their skin color and not on their qualifications or merits from experience,” Mucave added.

Mozambique’s gas sector is entering a decisive period as LNG projects return to the development pipeline and exploration activity gains momentum across the Rovuma Basin. For industry leaders, ensuring that the sector remains inclusive and supportive of African professionals will be critical not only for Mozambique’s success but also for the credibility of Africa’s broader energy narrative.

“Failure to maintain an oil and gas industry culture that fosters innovation, collaboration and inclusion in Africa will only disrupt gas operations, create doubts about the industry and adversely affect our industry as well as our future success both for Mozambicans and Africans. The oil industry should not destroy the goodwill Africans have shown to them over the last few years by supporting platforms that Africans see as insulting to their children,” concluded Mucave

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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SLB commissions new fluids systems plant in Pemba to support Mozambique’s offshore energy development

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5 hours ago

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October 9, 2026

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Mozambique

New facility expands in-country drilling and completion fluids capability, advancing the next phase of SLB’s growth in Mozambique

PEMBA, Mozambique, October 9, 2026/APO Group/ –SLB (NYSE: SLB) (www.SLB.com) announced the opening of a new fluids systems plant in Pemba, Mozambique. The new facility strengthens in-country capacity to prepare, store and deliver drilling and completion fluids for offshore operations, reinforcing the infrastructure needed as Mozambique’s offshore activity grows and its role as a strategic energy hub for East Africa continues to expand.

The commissioning of the plant, also known as a liquid mud plant, coincides with SLB marking 70 years of operations in Mozambique. It reflects the company’s long-term commitment to investing in people, infrastructure and capability that support the country’s long-term offshore energy development plans.

 




  

With an initial storage capacity of 21,000 barrels, the liquid mud plant provides a scalable platform for future growth, supporting multiple customers and rising offshore activity while improving logistics and enhancing operational flexibility.

As SLB marks 70 years in Mozambique, this investment reflects our confidence in the country’s future and our commitment to supporting its energy ambitions

“As SLB marks 70 years in Mozambique, this investment reflects our confidence in the country’s future and our commitment to supporting its energy ambitions,” said Miguel Baptista, Central, East and Southern Africa, Managing Director, SLB. The new liquid mud plant strengthens local energy infrastructure, expands opportunities for local content development, and enhances our ability to support customers as they deliver some of Africa’s most significant offshore energy resources.”

The liquid mud plant project was delivered with strong local participation and that momentum is expected to continue into operations. During project delivery, more than 100 jobs were created in Pemba with nationals representing 80% of the workforce, reflecting a focus on building local capability.

The project was delivered with a strong focus on safety, operational integrity, and quality, achieving more than 67,000 hours worked without a recordable safety incident.

This key infrastructure strengthens SLB’s ability to support consistent service quality and enhance supply chain readiness for increasing offshore activity across Mozambique, supporting customers execute safely and efficiently while developing local skills and expertise.

Key Points:

  • SLB has commissioned a new fluids system plant in Pemba, expanding in-country drilling and completion fluids capability for offshore operations.
  • With an initial storage capacity of 21,000 barrels, the facility provides a scalable platform to support growing offshore activity in Mozambique.
  • The investment marks the next phase of SLB’s growth in Mozambique, strengthening local capability and supporting long-term offshore energy development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of SLB.

 

 




 

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South African Energy Storage Association (SAESA) welcomes 4,600 MW battery storage prioritisation and calls for integrated energy planning

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5 hours ago

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October 9, 2026

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Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming critical system infrastructure, supporting flexibility, reducing avoidable curtailment, shifting energy into periods of demand and strengthening security of supply

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 9, 2026/APO Group/ –The South African Energy Storage Association (SAESA) (www.SAESA.org.za) welcomes the prioritisation of 4,600 MW of battery energy storage under the first Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025 Section 34 determination.

 




  

The timing is significant. Recent Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) modelling and assumptions discussions highlighted a fundamental shift that South Africa’s energy planning now needs to capture: we cannot plan the future power system by counting megawatts of generation alone.

We must plan for when energy is available, where it is available, how it moves through a constrained grid and how it is stored and dispatched when the system needs it most.

The announcement reinforces that shift. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming critical system infrastructure, supporting flexibility, reducing avoidable curtailment, shifting energy into periods of demand and strengthening security of supply.

For SAESA, the message for the IEP is clear: storage, flexibility and system services must be modelled as integral components of South Africa’s future electricity architecture, with their contribution considered from the outset of generation planning.

“The IEP must plan the power system we are becoming, not simply model the power system we have inherited,” says SAESA.

The IEP must plan the power system we are becoming, not simply model the power system we have inherited

Partnership with C&I Energy + Storage Summit

SAESA is an association partner of the C&I Energy + Storage Summit, created by VUKA Group, taking place on 28–29 October 2026 at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg.

The summit brings together commercial and industrial energy users, project developers, financiers, regulators and solution providers to explore practical approaches to energy security, procurement and storage deployment.

For businesses assessing how storage can support their operations, the event offers an opportunity to meet SAESA and engage with the wider energy community on the decisions shaping South Africa’s evolving electricity system.

Commercial and industrial energy decision-makers are invited to apply to attend as hosted buyers. Qualifying buyers receive complimentary summit access and curated opportunities to engage with industry partners.

 

Meet SAESA at C&I Energy + Storage Summit: Join the Hosted Buyer Programme

The Hosted Buyer Programme connects commercial and industrial energy decision-makers with solution providers shaping South Africa’s evolving private energy market.

Qualified energy buyers receive complimentary access to the summit and curated engagement with industry partners exploring energy procurement, storage deployment and project development.

Apply for the Hosted Buyer Programme (https://apo-opa.co/4ehLijJ)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

 




 

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Energy

Nigeria Mining Week 2026 sets the agenda for the sector’s next decade

Published

11 hours ago

on

October 9, 2026

By

Nigeria Mining Week

International Lithium Association and Mercuria Energy Trading NG join Nigeria Mining Week 2026 ahead of its opening in Abuja on 12 October

Nigeria has the mineral endowment to play a growing role in global supply chains, including critical minerals

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 8, 2026/APO Group/ —Programme and delegate passes: www.NigeriaMiningWeek.com

With less than a week to go, Nigeria Mining Week 2026 has added a global commodity trader and the world’s lithium trade association to its programme. Mercuria Energy Trading NG has signed as a Gold Sponsor, and the International Lithium Association (ILiA) has joined as a Supporting Association.

 




 
 

They join Nigeria’s mining leaders, investors and operators in Abuja from 12 to 14 October for three days on the questions that will define the sector’s next decade: who finances Nigerian projects, who buys their output, and how much of it is processed in Nigeria.

Now in its 11th edition, the event takes place at the Abuja Continental Hotel under the theme “Unlocking Investment and Growth through Partnerships”. More than 3,080 attendees and more than 90 sponsors and exhibitors are expected across seven strategic forums.

The decisions made on processing, financing and market access over the next few years will shape Nigerian mining for the decade ahead. Nigeria Mining Week puts the people making those decisions in the same room.

On the agenda

The programme follows six content pillars: exploration and geological data; financing and investment; industrialisation and processing; infrastructure and power; ESG, transparency and community development; and international and regional collaboration.

  • 12 October: pre-conference and roundtables on geological data, financing for junior miners, compliance and enforcement, and power and infrastructure.

Available to conference attendees only.

  • 13 October: conference and exhibition opening, the new Critical Minerals Forum, the Women in Extractive Industries Forum and technical workshops
  • 14 October: Gold Day, sessions on steel and industrial minerals, the Deal Room and further technical workshops

The Deal Room is a curated space for one-on-one meetings between mining projects and financiers, off-takers and strategic partners. Projects seeking offtake or financing can apply to take part.

International Lithium Association joins as Supporting Association

ILiA, the global trade association for the lithium industry, will take part in the Critical Minerals Forum on 13 October. Astrid Karamira, EMEA Representative Director at ILiA, joins the panel “Building Reliable Pathways from Nigeria to Global Battery, Magnet & EV Markets”.

The session looks at what Nigerian projects must do to reach international battery markets: technical and quality standards, traceability and responsible sourcing, export readiness, and the step from exploration success to commercial operation.

“Global buyers are asking more of their suppliers on quality, traceability and responsible sourcing than ever before. Nigeria Mining Week is an opportunity to discuss openly what those expectations mean in practice, and how Nigerian projects can meet them.”

Mercuria Energy Trading NG signs as Gold Sponsor

Mercuria Energy Trading NG is the Nigerian subsidiary of Mercuria, one of the world’s leading independent energy and commodity groups. It brings a buyer and offtaker perspective to the programme.

For many Nigerian projects, a credible buyer is the gap between a promising deposit and a financed mine. Mercuria will contribute to discussions on commodity trading and offtake partnerships, critical minerals supply chains, and infrastructure and logistics.

“Nigeria has the mineral endowment to play a growing role in global supply chains, including critical minerals. We look forward to sharing how trading, offtake and logistics partnerships can help Nigerian projects reach global markets.”

Event details

The programme is subject to change.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nigeria Mining Week.

 

 




 

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