This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site you consent to our use of cookies. Close

Africa Legal

Africa Legal

  • NEWS
  • JOBS
  • COURSES
  • CLIENTS
    • Sign in
    • Sign up
  • NEWS
  • COURSES
  • JOBS
    • Sign In
    • Sign Up
  • News
  • Courses
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Business A-Z
  • Post a job
  • Contact Us
  • Clients
CLIENT SIGN IN
Country
  • Uganda
  • South Africa
  • Kenya
  • Nigeria
  • Cameroon
  • United Kingdom
  • Cote d'Ivoire
  • Ghana
  • Tanzania
  • Zambia
  • Botswana
  • Morocco
  • Zimbabwe
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Sudan
  • Rwanda
  • Ethiopia
  • Angola
  • Egypt
  • Togo
  • Mali
  • South Sudan
  • Swaziland
  • Senegal
  • Malawi
  • France
  • Guinea
  • Middle East
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Gambia
  • Sierra Leone
  • Germany
Category
  • Profiles
  • Analysis & Opinion
  • Career advice
  • In-house
  • Latest news
  • Press releases
  • Africa Legal Blog
  • Women in Law
  • Innovation
  • Human Rights
Practice area
  • Agriculture
  • Arbitration
  • Aviation
  • Banking and Finance
  • Capital markets
  • Charties and pro bono
  • Company commercial
  • Competition and antitrust
  • Construction and engineering
  • Consumer products
  • Corporate finance and M&A
  • Criminal
  • Education
  • Employment and benefits
  • Energy and natural resources
  • Environmental
  • Financial services
  • Fraud & white collar crime
  • Funds
  • Governance | risk and compliance
  • Government and public sector
  • Health and safety
  • Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
  • Insurance/Reinsurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • Litigation and dispute resolution
  • Logistics and transportation
  • Manufacturing and Industrial
  • Private client and family
  • Private equity
  • Projects and infrastructure
  • Real estate
  • Regulatory
  • Restructuring | insolvency and debt recovery
  • Shipping and maritime
  • Taxation
  • Technology media and telecoms
  • Travel and tourism
close

Registration

Registered Successfully!!!. We have sent you a confirmation email to your email address.
close


View My Saved News


close You must login to save your news
  • LOGIN
  • NEW USER

Login to your account

Forgotten your password?
or

Create an Account

close


View My Saved News


« Back

Mozambique is cooking with gas

Mozambique’s energy sector is open for business, says leading project finance lawyer Pedro Couto, who spoke to Craig Sisterson about reform, evolution and the huge opportunities.

Jun 19, 2023
Craig Sisterson
Share

Recent changes to energy laws, coupled with significant gas discoveries, the government’s commitment to bringing electricity to the entire population, and an openness to foreign investment, have transformed Mozambique’s energy market, says Pedro Couto.

“There’s been a lot of change in the last ten years, and it starts with government policies which shifted from a state-down relationship to new energy laws focused on energy transition and welcoming private investment,” explained Couto, chairman of leading Mozambique law firm Couto Graça & Associados, which has recently become part of the CMS Legal network.

“There is a lot of investment, a lot of new renewable projects, a lot of things going on with some online already and others still in the pipeline. It’s been a really active market.”

Investors should consider Mozambique “open for business”, commented Couto, noting how far the country has come since he began as a lawyer 25 years ago. He says the government has made “a massive effort” to encourage businesses, reforming laws that trace back to colonial times, and introducing modern and workable commercial codes, contract laws, energy- and water laws.

“We are in a new beginning,” Couto said. “There are huge discoveries of gas which, while not renewable, is a transitional energy that’s here and available. There are significant projects including Mphanda Nkuwa, a 1 500MW new hydro power project, and a new 450MW gas plant, which is incorporated with building new transmission lines of almost 600km, all looking to serve southern Africa.”

South Africa is in an energy crisis, but Mozambique has water, sun, wind, and gas, says Couto, so there are many elements that stakeholders are seeing as opportunities to really grow and start building into a bigger role in the local and regional energy market.

Couto would like to see more regional cooperation across Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Malawi, with governments working together to simplify things.

While there are challenges, including infrastructure that needs upgrading and historic prejudices which need to be overcome, along with (mis)perceived political or other risks which can make projects more expensive, overall it’s a very exciting time for the Mozambique energy market, says Couto.

It’s also an exciting time for his firm, which brings further expertise and local knowledge to global giant CMS, which has over 4 800 lawyers working in more than 40 countries.

“CMS has quality everywhere they are,” said Couto, noting the advantage of having a network across Europe, Asia and Africa which provides foreign investors with top lawyers both in their home country and high quality “boots on the ground” in countries where they are investing.

“When you come to invest, you need to know the country, the laws, the people and how to navigate what you need to do. You can’t make any project without good lawyers,” Couto commented

He believes the region is at an important turning point. “Mozambique is looking very good with all the resources that it’s got available, and I think the challenge is going to be making sure we attract the right investment, the good investments, to make it work.”

 

To join Africa Legal's mailing list please click here

Copyright : Re-publication of this article is authorised only in the following circumstances; the writer and Africa Legal are both recognised as the author and the website address www.africa-legal.com and original article link are back linked. A bio for the writer can be provided on request.

RELATED CATEGORY NEWS

Exploiting Zim’s best kept secret Read more
The benefits of good neighbours Read more
Following the money trail Read more

RELATED COUNTRY NEWS

An incubator for smart power solutions Read more
Climate-resilient water solutions for Read more
Action against corrupt Mozambican judi Read more
Africa Legal
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy and cookies policy
Members
  • Find a job
  • Take a course
  • Read news
  • Terms and conditions
  • Cancellations and refunds
Clients
  • Terms and conditions
  • Post a job
  • Host a course
  • Advertise
  • Share news
Connect with us
© Copyright 2023 | Africa Legal. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy