Business Seminar on the Horizon: Edna Simbine Highlights Benefits for Local Companies

On previous occasions, we have had the opportunity to discuss the Mozambique LNG Project, the country’s first onshore liquefied natural gas project. With an investment of approximately USD 20 billion, this is one of the largest foreign direct investments ever made in Africa. Given the scale of this investment and the fact that it is located onshore, the Mozambique LNG Project stands out as a transformative initiative for the national economy.

After being suspended for approximately five years due to force majeure arising from security conditions, the project has now resumed. In fact, on January 29, during a ceremony led by the President of the Republic in Afungi, Palma District, Cabo Delgado Province, TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné officially announced the full restart of the Mozambique LNG Project.

This restart represents a catalyst for the country’s economy and is already expected to generate positive impacts in terms of local content. In this context, the Mozambique LNG Project will begin hosting business seminars aimed at presenting business opportunities to Mozambican companies. To discuss these seminars, we are joined by Edna Simbine, Local Content Manager at TotalEnergies.

 

Good evening, Edna Simbine.

1. On what dates will the seminars take place, where will they be held, and what are their objectives?

EDNA SIMBINE: Good evening, João Carlos. Good evening to our viewers.

Before responding directly to your question, allow me to note that even before the full restart of the project announced on January 29, the project had continued to invest in local content, preparing for the moment when activities would fully resume in Afungi.

By way of example, with our support, more than 1,500 young Mozambicans have been trained through IFPELAC and the Pemba Industrial and Commercial Institute in areas such as carpentry, welding, hospitality, electricity, among others. More than 100 young Mozambicans—115 in total—have benefited from scholarships for higher education abroad, as well as technical and professional internships.

We have also implemented capacity-building programs for 75 companies in Cabo Delgado under our business development program. Additionally, we have contracted several local companies to provide services at our Afungi camp for activities that continued during the suspension period.

Now, to answer your question directly, the full restart of the project enables us to strengthen our investment trajectory in local content. As such, we will be holding these seminars in Pemba and Maputo to reinforce links with the national business sector and, above all, to share essential information on:

• Business Opportunities
• Procurement
• Health, Safety and Environment (HSE)
• Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

 

2. Which sectors do the business opportunities to be presented relate to?

EDNA SIMBINE: At these two seminars, we will present business opportunities in the following areas:

• Construction & Engineering
• Health, Safety and Environment & Emergency Services
• Logistics & Transportation
• Office Services, ICT & General Supplies
• Facilities Management & Catering
• Marine & Offshore Services

 

3. How are these areas defined?

EDNA SIMBINE: These areas are derived from the supply chain of the Mozambique LNG Project, which involves the operator, TotalEnergies, and the contracted companies across different tiers, namely EPC contractors and their subcontractors.

Accordingly, we consolidate the project’s demand for the upcoming 3 to 9 months. Our intention is to update and share this demand periodically as project activities progress.

 

4. Therefore, entrepreneurs operating in these areas are invited to participate, correct?

EDNA SIMBINE: Yes, that is correct. At this stage, the opportunities we will be presenting fall within the areas I have just mentioned. However, I would like to add an important note: as the Mozambique LNG Project continues to develop, additional business opportunities -within these or other sectors – will arise.

When that happens, we will once again invite entrepreneurs from the relevant sectors to participate in future seminars, which will be announced in due course.

 

5. Dr. Edna, could you please share the practical details? On which dates will the seminars take place?

EDNA SIMBINE: In Pemba, the seminar will take place on March 10, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In Maputo, it will be held one week later, on March 17, 2026

 

6. How can interested companies register?

EDNA SIMBINE: Registration is done through an expression of interest by completing the form available on the Mozambique LNG Project’s digital platforms and in the country’s major newspapers.

Entrepreneurs who require additional support may also contact business associations or reach out directly to the Mozambique LNG Project’s Local Content team for further clarification.