Pars today _ Total entered Mozambique promising economic development, but its gas projects deepened social and environmental crises, leaving local communities in poverty and insecurity.
TotalEnergies entered northern Mozambique as a key player in the oil and gas industry, promising economic development and job creation. However, its operations have had devastating effects on local communities and the environment. The company’s massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in Cabo Delgado failed to generate sustainable economic growth and instead deepened social and security crises. From the beginning, Total’s promises of job creation, infrastructure development, and improved living conditions were out of touch with the harsh realities of the region. In practice, billions in investment benefited foreign investors and corrupt officials, while local communities remained trapped in poverty. Energy corporations often claim their presence boosts economic prosperity, but Total’s operations in Mozambique exemplify the failure of this model. Local workers faced gruelling conditions and job insecurity, while corporate executives reaped financial rewards.
More concerning, Total’s involvement intensified security issues. Northern Mozambique has long grappled with armed group attacks, but foreign investments—including Total’s—escalated violence. In March 2021, ISIS-linked militants launched an assault on Palma, killing dozens, including workers involved in Total’s gas projects. Rather than taking responsibility or cooperating with the Mozambican government to protect civilians, Total suspended its operations and withdrew from the area. This decision left thousands of local workers unemployed and highlighted the company’s disregard for humanitarian crises. After its departure, Total provided no support to victims’ families and abandoned its projects without addressing their social consequences. Beyond the human cost, Total’s operations have severely damaged the environment. Its gas projects have polluted water and soil across northern Mozambique, threatening ecosystems crucial for local livelihoods. Natural gas extraction and processing are among the most environmentally destructive industrial activities, yet Total has implemented no serious measures to mitigate these impacts.
Chemical spills and industrial pollution have devastated agricultural lands and restricted access to clean water, forcing thousands of residents to migrate elsewhere. Energy giants often try to present their activities favourably in the media, yet many exploits natural resources and cheap lobar in impoverished nations. Total’s presence in Mozambique is a stark example of modern colonial-style investment, where local resources are extracted while the population remains economically disadvantaged. While much of the world is transitioning to cleaner, sustainable energy, Total continues prioritising oil and gas expansion—sacrificing both the environment and vulnerable communities for its profits. In northern Mozambique, the company has not fostered economic development but instead deepened social and security crises.
