At ROG.e 2026, the President of Mozambique advocates for a pragmatic energy transition that prioritizes economic development, the reduction of energy poverty, and strategic partnerships with the Brazilian oil and gas sector.
During the opening of ROG.e 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, organized by the IBP, the President of Mozambique, Daniel Chapo, presented a strategic vision for the future of the energy sector. He argued for an energy transition that is, above all, fair and inclusive for developing nations, allowing them to leverage their own natural resources for social progress and industrialization.
The event, attended by leaders such as Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard, served as a forum for debating how to reconcile the global goal of decarbonization with the urgent energy infrastructure needs in Africa. For Daniel Chapo, the path to sustainable development involves utilizing natural gas and oil as bridge energy sources.
The role of natural gas in energy sovereignty
The President emphasized that the disparity in access to electricity remains one of the greatest challenges for the African continent. According to the Mozambican leader, it is impossible to speak of climate justice while maintaining part of the globe in energy poverty.
There will be no truly fair energy transition if there is clean energy for some and energy poverty for others.
For the government of Mozambique, the strategy is pragmatic: using its vast natural gas reserves not only for export but as a fundamental input for fertilizer production and strengthening its industrial base. This model aims to ensure domestic energy security while promoting job creation and local GDP growth.
Strategic partnership with Brazil
Strengthening ties between Brazil and Mozambique was a highlight of the speech. Daniel Chapo noted that Brazil possesses world-class technical expertise, particularly in deepwater exploration and production and offshore logistics—capabilities that align perfectly with Mozambique‘s ambitions.
The dialogue between ENH (Mozambique’s National Hydrocarbon Company) and Petrobras is viewed as a central pillar for this new cycle of cooperation. The President reiterated an invitation for Brazilian companies to expand their operations in the country, emphasizing that the desired model goes beyond a simple supplier-customer relationship.
We want Brazilian companies in Mozambique, but we also want Mozambican companies to grow alongside Brazilian firms. We are not just looking for suppliers. We are looking for partners.
Investment and development projections
Looking to the future, Mozambique is preparing to auction new areas for research and exploration. The government seeks to attract foreign capital to enable the mapping of new reserves and the expansion of strategic infrastructure. The expectation is that the exchange of Brazilian expertise, consolidated over decades of Petrobras‘ operations, will be the differentiator in making Mozambican projects more efficient and competitive in the global market.
Daniel Chapo‘s message at ROG.e 2026 makes it clear that the journey toward clean energy in Mozambique will be navigated responsibly, using fossil fuels as stepping stones to modernize the country’s infrastructure. This pragmatic approach projects a future where energy sovereignty and international collaboration work hand-in-hand to overcome regional inequalities.
