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The First Minister of Mozambique stated that natural gas development must transform into prosperity for the population. She emphasized that new legislation is designed to strengthen local content, attract investment, and promote sustainable economic development.

Maria Benvinda Levi made this statement during the opening of the first Africa Gas & LNG Summit 2026 in Maputo. She said: 'We want the wealth of our natural resources to turn into wealth for the people.'

Mozambique currently has three large approved projects for monetizing vast natural gas reserves in the Rovuma and Cabo Delgado basins, which are considered among the largest in the world. In addition to the Coral Sul project, operational since 2022, and the Coral Norte project, which is under development, enterprises led by TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil are advancing on the Afungi peninsula, with the latter awaiting a final investment decision.

In her speech, Levi noted that Mozambique is creating conditions to convert this natural resource potential into tangible benefits for citizens. She recalled the recent approval of new legislation, which is in the implementation phase, concerning mining, oil, and local content, aimed at strengthening national participation in natural resource development.

This legal framework primarily reflects the 'Government's determination to ensure that the growth of the energy sector is accompanied by the strengthening of national production capacity, the activation of Mozambican entrepreneurship, and the creation of decent and sustainable jobs.' Secondly, the First Minister continued, the goal is to ensure 'significant progress in consolidating a more structured institutional environment focused on concrete results.' And thirdly, she aims to promote 'the strengthening of the business environment and increasing transparency to ensure greater predictability of decisions and create increasingly favorable conditions for productive investments.'

Maria Benvinda Levi added that through these and other actionable measures, she wants to guarantee that investors find regulatory stability, effective institutions, and a competitive business environment. She also stressed that energy projects must contribute to strengthening the Mozambican business structure and enhancing the value of national human resources.

'We also intend for the projects to promote the strengthening of national entrepreneurship, the upskilling and value of Mozambican specialists, especially youth and women, as well as the development of local communities,' she stated. Levi insisted that natural gas should be viewed not only from an export perspective but also as a lever for economic transformation.

'For Mozambique, natural gas represents not only an export opportunity but also a strategic asset for expanding electricity generation, promoting industrial development, stimulating new economic activity, and deepening the integration of regional energy markets,' she said. She argued that the success of the sector would depend on the ability to generate national and regional economic chains, as well as strengthening cooperation between African countries in the logic of joint development and energy market integration.

Addressing investors and industry representatives present at the conference, the First Minister reiterated the country's openness to private investment and technological innovation. 'Mozambique is open to investment. It is open to new partnerships, new technologies, innovations, and business initiatives that contribute to value creation, stimulate economic development based on shared responsibility and mutual benefit,' she concluded.

The Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Manuel Castro Almeida, emphasized in Caracas that the restoration of the energy sector and the reconstruction of infrastructure are priority areas for Portuguese enterprises to participate in the Venezuelan market.

He stated that there are significant opportunities and Portuguese potential capable of meeting the needs of this market. In particular, the restoration of the energy sector, especially hydrocarbons, creates new demands for specialized equipment, technologies, infrastructure, and services.

Manuel Castro Almeida addressed an official residence of the Portuguese ambassador in Caracas during a welcoming ceremony for about 30 Portuguese companies. These companies are part of a business delegation that arrived in Venezuela to participate in the Portugal-Venezuela Business Forum on November 3, organized by the Portuguese Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade (AICEP).

The Minister added that the modernization and recovery of the country open up space for Portuguese firms to participate in fields such as construction, metalworking, industry, agribusiness, healthcare, transport, and related services.

He explained that Portugal possesses competitive, internationalized companies recognized for their technical capability, flexibility, and reliability. The goal of this business mission is to demonstrate these competencies and facilitate the matching between Portuguese offerings and the real needs of the Venezuelan economy.

The government official expressed a desire to establish Portugal as an economically present, reliable, and ready partner that can contribute through knowledge, technology, investment, and execution capacity.

He noted that the mission's task is not merely to establish one-off contacts but to create a foundation for sustainable business relationships, identify viable projects, and develop partnerships capable of generating value, jobs, and opportunities in both countries.

In this context, Manuel Castro Almeida specifically highlighted that the resumption of the AICEP representation in Caracas is a 'particularly important step,' reflecting the commitment of the Portuguese Government to strengthening its economic presence in the country, providing closer support to companies, and turning opportunities into concrete projects.

Nevertheless, the minister acknowledged that Venezuela is going through a difficult period, and 'significant obstacles to trade and investment' remain, particularly at the level of international banking operations, customs conditions, and administrative procedures.

He stressed that 'business trust requires legal security, predictability, and favorable conditions for economic activity,' noting that these issues must be clearly addressed in dialogue with Venezuelan authorities.

According to the official, the ministry's mission includes the participation of about 30 companies and unites two interconnected areas that the Executive Power considers: the strength of the Portuguese community in Venezuela and the desire to deepen bilateral economic cooperation.

The trip is also accompanied by the Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, Emídio Sousa, AICEP President Ana Casaca, and Head of Staff of the Presidency of the Regional Government of Madeira, Rui Abreu.