President of Mozambique named Africa Oil & Power’s Person of the Year 2020
The policy and investment platform Africa Oil & Power says Filipe Nyusi has helped Mozambique move to a place of leadership in the global natural gas industry
President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique has been selected as the Person of the Year for 2020 by Africa Oil & Power.
The prestigious award is presented to exceptional individuals who display true leadership and innovative thinking in steering their countries or organisations to the forefront of the global energy sector.
Nyusi has been at the prow of Mozambique’s energy sector, overseeing its many recent successes, including several multibillion-dollar gas projects which are now in development in the Southern African country.
The value of the natural gas projects, once fully actualised, will represent more than three times Mozambique’s current GDP.
The Exxon-led Rovuma LNG project is valued at US$23.9 billion. The Total-led gas project in Cabo Delgado is valued at US$23 billion. And the Coral FLNG project, worth US$4.7 billion, is expected to reach first gas in 2022.
“His Excellency Filipe Nyusi has led the charge in creating an enabling environment in the energy industry and the broader economy that paved the way for extraordinary energy deals which Mozambique currently enjoys,” said Jude Kearney, former deputy assistant secretary for service industries and finance at the US Department of Commerce.
“I can think of no better individual in Africa’s energy space on whom to bestow this award.
“Mozambique has a bright future ahead as international gas projects drive new growth, job creation, economic development and prosperity,” Kearney said.
Big deals
Not only has Nyusi been instrumental in the deals coming through, but he has also helped drive a focus on national capacity-building and made sure the projects set aside natural gas for domestic use, setting Mozambique on a path towards economic diversification and energy security.
“His Excellency President Filipe Nyusi has worked hard to create an environment that ensures that a strong gas industry will create jobs, boost entrepreneurship, protect our environment, diversify our economy for the benefit of all the citizens and generate much-needed revenue for the government,” said Florival Mucave, chief executive of the Mozambican Chamber of Oil and Gas.
“The president has made the energy sector a crucial component of the economic well-being of Mozambique.”
“President Filipe Nyusi has taken Mozambique from a place of relative obscurity in the energy markets to a place of leadership in the global natural gas industry,” said Renée Montez-Avinir, managing director of Africa Oil & Power.
“His leadership has been instrumental in bringing these mega natural gas projects to fruition, providing vital investment security to close several multibillion-dollar deals,” said Montez-Avinir. “There is no doubt the natural gas projects will transform Mozambique, bringing progress and prosperity to the entire country and placing Mozambique at the forefront of a global natural gas revolution.”
Nyusi, who has been in office since 2015, aggressively pursued an anti-corruption campaign, has continued to lead the country in peace, and has successfully navigated Mozambique through incredible challenges, including Tropical Cyclone Idai, which struck in 2019, as well as the economic fallout presented by COVID-19 this year.
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