Zelenskiy says Ukraine wants to import gas from Mozambique

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has signaled interest in importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Mozambique, marking a potential shift in Eastern European energy sourcing and opening a new commercial corridor between Southern Africa and Ukraine. This development underscores Mozambique's emerging role as a critical LNG supplier in global energy markets, while simultaneously highlighting Africa's strategic importance in geopolitical energy realignment.

## Why is Mozambique positioned as an LNG alternative for Ukraine?

Mozambique hosts two major LNG mega-projects in the Rovuma Basin—TotalEnergies' Mozambique LNG (Phase 1, operational since 2018) and the planned Coral South FLNG project. These facilities have positioned the nation as one of Africa's largest natural gas exporters, with production capacity exceeding 12 million tonnes per annum (mtpa). For Ukraine, which historically relied on Russian gas transit through pipelines, LNG imports represent energy independence and supply diversification. The distance from Mozambique to European ports is commercially viable via established maritime routes, and containerized LNG can reach Ukraine's regasification terminals in partner nations like Poland or Lithuania.

The timing reflects broader geopolitical pressures. Since Russia's 2022 invasion, Ukraine has aggressively sought non-Russian energy sources, while Europe simultaneously reduced Russian energy dependency. Mozambique's LNG is contractually committed largely to Asian markets (China, India, Japan), but spot market availability and new production capacity from Coral South could create windows for alternative buyers. Ukraine's interest signals a strategic bet on African supply chains as reliable, politically neutral alternatives to Middle Eastern or Russian sources.

## What are the commercial and investment implications?

The potential Ukraine-Mozambique gas corridor could accelerate Mozambique's LNG project financing and operational expansion. Coral South's final investment decision (originally expected 2023–2024) has faced delays due to project cost overruns and financing challenges. International buyer commitments—even from unexpected markets like Ukraine—strengthen TotalEnergies' negotiating position with lenders and stakeholders. For African investors and regional development banks, this validates the continent's LNG sector as strategically vital to global energy security.

Operationally, establishing reliable supply relationships with Ukraine requires stable port infrastructure, consistent production, and long-term offtake agreements. Mozambique's recent political turbulence (post-election unrest in late 2024) has raised regulatory and security concerns for foreign investors. Energy infrastructure remains a target during conflict; any supply commitment to Ukraine would need robust force majeure provisions and insurance structures.

## How does this reshape African energy geopolitics?

This development repositions Mozambique—and by extension, Southern Africa—as an indispensable player in the post-Russia energy world. It reduces Europe and Eastern Europe's reliance on Middle Eastern suppliers (Qatar, UAE) and creates competitive pressure in global LNG markets. For competing African producers (Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon), Ukraine's interest in Mozambique validates demand for diversified African supply, potentially accelerating their own project development timelines.

However, realizing this corridor requires political stability in Mozambique, transparent governance over resource revenues, and investment in port and logistics capacity. The nation's capacity to simultaneously supply Asia, Europe, and Eastern Europe hinges on expanded production—achievable only through successful Coral South completion and potential Phase 2 development.