GAS IN MOZAMBIQUE A WINDFALL FOR THE INDUSTRY, A CURSE FOR THE COUNTRY

This executive summary by Friends of the Earth International argues that the discovery of massive gas reserves in Mozambique has led to corruption, economic instability, and violent conflict, facilitated by French economic and military interests.

• Between 2010 and 2013, Mozambique discovered gas reserves of approximately 5 trillion cubic meters, the 9th largest in the world. This has attracted a projected minimum investment of 60 billion USD, the largest ever in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• France is accused of facilitating a corruption scandal in 2013 involving a contract with Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie (CMN) for a tuna fishing fleet. The document states this was a cover for illegal debts to finance a defence programme to secure fossil fuel deposits, leading to a financial crisis in 2016.
• The French government has actively supported its energy and financial sectors in Mozambique. This includes providing an export guarantee of over half a billion euros for a gas project and the involvement of banks like Crédit Agricole and Société Générale as financial advisors.
• Since October 2017, Cabo Delgado province has experienced an insurgency resulting in at least 1,100 deaths and the displacement of over 100,000 people. The document claims the Mozambique government has prioritised the militarisation of the zone to protect gas infrastructure over addressing the root causes of the conflict.
• Private military companies from Russia, the US, South Africa, and France have increased their presence in Cabo Delgado. Specifically, French-licensed helicopter gunships operated by South African mercenaries injured six children during an attack in May 2020.
• The three gas projects under development are described as a 'climate bomb,' with the potential to release greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to seven times France's annual emissions and 49 times Mozambique's current annual emissions.

APA

Marchand, C. (2020). GAS IN MOZAMBIQUE A WINDFALL FOR THE INDUSTRY, A CURSE FOR THE COUNTRY. Friends of the Earth International. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Gas-in-Mozambique_Friends-of-the-Earth_Executive-Summary_English.pdf

Chicago

Marchand, Cécile. GAS IN MOZAMBIQUE A WINDFALL FOR THE INDUSTRY, A CURSE FOR THE COUNTRY. Friends of the Earth International, 2020. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Gas-in-Mozambique_Friends-of-the-Earth_Executive-Summary_English.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Marchand |first1=Cécile |title=GAS IN MOZAMBIQUE A WINDFALL FOR THE INDUSTRY, A CURSE FOR THE COUNTRY |publisher=Friends of the Earth International |date=June 2020 |url=https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Gas-in-Mozambique_Friends-of-the-Earth_Executive-Summary_English.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{marchand2020gas, author = {Marchand, Cécile}, title = {{GAS IN MOZAMBIQUE A WINDFALL FOR THE INDUSTRY, A CURSE FOR THE COUNTRY}}, institution = {Friends of the Earth International}, year = {2020}, month = jun, url = {https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Gas-in-Mozambique_Friends-of-the-Earth_Executive-Summary_English.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }