UK halts US$1.15 billion Mozambique LNG support.
The UK Government’s recent decision to withdraw US$1.15 billion in support from the TotalEnergies-led Mozambique LNG project is a concerning example of Western policy priorities undermining Africa’s development.Announced on Monday, the decision comes at a moment when global energy markets face unprecedented pressure. Yet, the UK appears more focused on ideological signalling rather than practical solutions to persistent energy poverty.
The Mozambique LNG project is far more than another fossil fuel venture. It represents a transformative opportunity for the continent, with the potential to deliver 13 million tonnes of LNG annually – powering industries, fuelling domestic growth and supporting economic development in a region where millions still live without reliable electricity.
By withdrawing support, the UK has chosen to prioritise its green and “woke” agenda over African progress, focusing on counting emissions rather than taking into consideration African energy poverty and the need to prioritise energy security, affordability, and sovereignty.
Security challenges in northern Cabo Delgado forced TotalEnergies to suspend operations in 2021. Since then, improved conditions have allowed the company to lift the suspension and resume planning, contingent on government approval for a revised development roadmap.
Rather than recognise this progress, UK Export Finance cited ‘risks’ as justification for withdrawal – a rationale that reflects priorities driven more by political optics than by Africa’s urgent energy needs.
The same risk has been evaluated by the US, with the US Export-Import Bank moving to re-approve a loan earlier in 2025 in recognition of the improved situation on the ground. The decision to withdraw financing reflects a broader trend by the UK to follow an anti-fossil fuels agenda, one that has already put North Sea production in great decline.
The Mozambique LNG project highlights what African energy development should look like: ambitious, transformative, and responsible. Gas-liquefaction projects in Cabo Delgado are expected to create at least 10 000 direct jobs by 2025, focusing on local populations and supporting young graduates with SME development. Construction of the Mozambique LNG facility alone has been estimated to create around 5 000 jobs.
Beyond employment, LNG production and exports have already generated rising government revenues – with state LNG-related earnings increasing by over 20% last year. Once fully operational and supported by stable financing, Mozambique LNG could deliver the energy, revenue, and human capital needed to power industry, boost public services, and lift communities out of energy poverty.