Totalenergies And Africa: Mike Sangster On The Investments, Partnerships And Projects Shaping A New Energy Era

As African Energy Week returns to Cape Town for its sixth edition, TotalEnergies arrives with one of the continent’s most consequential energy portfolios. Mozambique LNG is moving forward again, Namibia’s Orange Basin is emerging as a major new frontier, Uganda is approaching first oil, and established operations in Angola and Nigeria remain important anchors for a company investing across oil, gas, electricity and renewables.

For Mike Sangster, Senior Vice President, Africa, the renewed momentum behind Mozambique LNG stands out as a defining development. The restart of project activities has revived one of Africa’s largest LNG investments, while discoveries in Namibia and progress on Tilenga and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline are opening another chapter in the company’s African growth story.

But Sangster argues that the significance of these investments must ultimately be measured by more than barrels, cargoes and revenues. Local industries, competitive African suppliers, jobs, skills and opportunities for a new generation of energy professionals are increasingly central to how TotalEnergies approaches major projects across the continent.

Nearly a century after the company began operating in Africa, Sangster sees a continent becoming more assertive in defining its own energy priorities. Financing constraints and regulatory uncertainty remain significant hurdles, but he believes Africa has the resources, talent and increasingly the institutional foundations to shape its own energy future.

In this exclusive interview with Pan African Visions for the African Energy Week 2026 Special Edition, Sangster discusses TotalEnergies’ investments from Mozambique and Namibia to Uganda, Angola and Nigeria, the changing relationship between international investors and African governments, local content, the energy transition and the company’s long-term vision for the continent. His message is unequivocal: “Africa is not a chapter in our story. It is central to it.”

 It has been another consequential year for TotalEnergies in Africa, with developments from Mozambique and Namibia to Uganda, Angola and Nigeria. Looking across the portfolio, what stands out for you as the biggest progress made over the past year, and how confident are you about the company’s trajectory on the continent?

If I had to single out one moment that defines this past year for TotalEnergies in Africa, it would be Mozambique. The restart of project activities following the lifting of force majeure was a genuine statement about long-term commitment. We stayed throughout, never wavering in our belief in this project and in what it will mean for Mozambique. That conviction is now translating into real momentum.

But Mozambique is only one part of a much broader story. From Uganda approaching first oil, to Namibia emerging as a new world-class energy province, while continuing to deliver in our established countries such as Angola and Nigeria. This has been a year of convergence. Multiple projects are progressing at the same time, across different markets and across different segments of the energy spectrum, generating long-term value for TotalEnergies, for host governments and for African communities, all for the benefit of the African continent.

What is particularly encouraging is the diversity of our African portfolio. We are progressing major LNG, oil and power projects across Eastern, Southern and Western Africa, which gives us a unique balance between mature producing countries and new growth areas such as Namibia and Mozambique. This diversification is a key strength in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment.

That breadth is not the result of chance. It reflects a deliberate strategy: building a diversified, resilient and future-proof portfolio capable of delivering more energy, with less emissions, over the long term. And what gives me confidence today is precisely the momentum we are seeing across the continent. We have the resources, the projects, the partnerships and the people to continue creating value and remain a leading contributor to Africa’s energy future for decades to come.

Mozambique LNG is back in the spotlight with project activities restarting after several challenging years. How significant is this moment for TotalEnergies and Mozambique, what has changed to give the company confidence moving forward, and what key milestones should stakeholders now watch?

The full restart of project activities marks a major milestone for Mozambique LNG and for the country as a whole. We have worked closely with the Mozambican authorities throughout, and that close cooperation is precisely what gives us confidence going forward. We are determined to make this project a great success for the people of Mozambique.

It is worth stepping back to appreciate the scale of what we are talking about. This is a landmark project that will position Mozambique as a major LNG exporter. With approximately 65 Tcf of recoverable gas resources, the project has the potential to more than double its initial 13 Mtpa capacity, making this one of the largest LNG developments in the world.We expect the first LNG cargoes in 2029, and over the project’s lifetime, it is expected to generate approximately $35 billion in government revenues for Mozambique, equivalent to around 10 percentage points of national GDP. With its strong local content, the project is designed to bring lasting economic benefits to Mozambican communities as well as to government finances.

As for what stakeholders should watch, the key indicators will be the safe ramp-up of construction activities, continued workforce mobilisation, progress on infrastructure, and delivery on our local content commitments. On that front, we are already seeing real momentum: more than 4,000 local workers have been trained, with around 1,500 currently in training, and the project has generated over 8,000 non-project-related jobs. Those numbers are a good gauge of how the project is translating into tangible benefits on the ground

Namibia has emerged as one of Africa’s most closely watched energy frontiers, with TotalEnergies strengthening its position around Venus and the wider Orange Basin. How do you assess the commercial potential today, and how important could Namibia become within TotalEnergies’ global and African portfolio?

Namibia has established itself as one of the most attractive new energy frontiers in the world. The Orange Basin has confirmed world-class resources, attracted significant industry interest and opened the door to what could become a major new energy-producing hub for Africa.

Venus is a complex, but world-class project with the potential to produce around 150,000 barrels per day. At the same time, we have strengthened our position assuming operatorship of the giant Mopane discovery, where appraisal is progressing ahead of a potential FID by end-2028 and exploration opportunities are already lining up. We are also progressing the transaction that will make TotalEnergies the operator of PEL 104. Together, these developments position TotalEnergies as the operator of Namibia’s two largest oil discoveries and strengthen our position across the Orange Basin with access to multiple high-impact deepwater exploration plays and prospects.

Together, these developments have the potential to lay the foundations of a major production hub in Namibia. By combining these near-by opportunities, we aim to unlock significant synergies, accelerate value creation and build a long-term platform for growth that benefits Namibia, our partners and TotalEnergies alike. This is why we see Namibia as a future anchor country in our African portfolio.

Uganda is approaching first oil through Tilenga and EACOP. Beyond the production milestone, what lasting economic and social impact will these projects leave behind, and how do you respond to the environmental and social concerns that have surrounded them?

Tilenga continues to make strong progress towards start-up, with a workforce now fully mobilised across the project. EACOP is progressing well, and Kingfisher, where we are a partner, is expected to be ready by late 2026. As we approach first oil, continued collaboration and commitment from all stakeholders remains essential to delivering this landmark project safely, responsibly and to the highest standards.

What makes these projects particularly significant is their transformative impact for Uganda and Tanzania. To date, $2 billion has been spent with Ugandan and Tanzanian companies, around 90,000 direct and indirect jobs are being created during the construction phase, and the projects have delivered more than 4 million training hours. We have also awarded around 300 scholarships, and more than 200 young Ugandans are currently enrolled in the Tilenga Academy’s 2.5-year certified training programme to prepare them for future operations.

On the environmental and social side, the projects are targeting an emissions intensity of around 13 kg of CO₂ per barrel, lower than our own average and significantly lower than industry averages. That is a deliberate design choice. And our ambition extends beyond oil production: we are committed to supporting Uganda’s broader energy future, including the development of renewable power capacity, as demonstrated by our entry into the Bujagali Hydro power plant. The project’s track record on local content, jobs, training and emissions performance is the clearest answer to the concerns raised over the years.

Local content is increasingly central to how Africans judge major energy investments. Beyond jobs and procurement figures, how is TotalEnergies building lasting African capacity through skills transfer, competitive local suppliers, entrepreneurs and the development of future African energy leaders?

One of the most meaningful measures of our success is not only the energy we produce, but the human potential we help unlock through the opportunities we create Local content is a core economic lever and a long-term commitment, not an add-on. Our objective is to build skills, strengthen local businesses, and develop the next generation of African energy leaders.

In Mozambique, beyond the workforce training numbers already covered, our $200 million Foundation is supporting more than 7,000 farmers and fishermen, helping build economic resilience in communities along the project corridor.

In Namibia, the Venus development could generate around $2 billion in local spending and to support the development of a sustainable national energy industry. It will create up to 7000 direct, indirect and induced jobs across construction and production, with a workforce nationalization reaching 50% by the end of construction and 90% during the production phase, supported by the Venus Academy delivering internationally certified Oil & Gas qualifications. We are also embedding our presence into Namibia’s Vision 2030, with concrete commitments beyond energy, in education, healthcare, arts and culture, sports, biodiversity and environmental protection.

Across all these projects, the goal is consistent: build capacity that stays in Africa long after any single project is complete.

Africa wants energy investments to deliver more than revenues, and governments are increasingly setting the terms to ensure that. From your conversations with presidents and ministers, how do you assess the evolving investment environment, and how does TotalEnergies structure its partnerships to meet those development expectations?

African governments have made real progress. We see a growing focus on local value creation, workforce development, infrastructure and investment frameworks designed to support long-term economic growth. The conversations we have at the highest level have shifted: African leaders are increasingly acting as investment promoters, with clarity on what they want and what they are prepared to offer in return.

The key challenge remains execution. Investors need regulatory stability, predictable fiscal terms and efficient decision-making. Delays in approvals or lengthy legal processes can significantly affect the attractiveness and timing of investment.

On our side, we structure partnerships around shared long-term objectives. Every country has different constraints, institutions and expectations, and we adapt accordingly. But we always seek clarity and transparency as the foundation. That alignment is what controls costs, keeps projects on schedule, and ultimately ensures that all partners are working toward the same goals. The differentiating factor across African markets is the ability to provide a stable, predictable environment. Where that exists, capital follows.

TotalEnergies describes itself as a multi-energy company at a time when Africa is balancing oil and gas development with renewables and growing pressure for decarbonization. What does a realistic African energy transition look like to you, and where does TotalEnergies see its strongest opportunities across hydrocarbons, gas, solar, wind and electricity?

A realistic African energy transition has to start from Africa’s specific reality. The continent generates only around 3-4% of global CO₂ emissions while facing some of the heaviest consequences of climate change, and yet energy demand is expected to grow by more than 60% by 2040. Africa does not need to dismantle an energy system. It needs to build one.

The real question is how to sequence that build pragmatically. Oil and gas remain necessary to meet current demand, and Africa has the right to develop its own resources. Our new African projects are designed to be among the least emitting in the industry, with Kaminho in Angola a full-electric FPSO with carbon capture coming online in 2028. This is disciplined growth: 95% of our 2030 production is already secured.

Gas is the bridge between today’s energy mix and tomorrow’s lower-carbon energy system. It strengthens energy security, reduces emissions by half when replacing coal, and provides the flexibility needed to support the growth of renewable power. Africa holds 7% of the world’s proven gas reserves, and we are expanding our position from Nigeria to Angola to Mozambique.

In parallel, we are accelerating investment in solar, wind, storage and integrated power systems. For TotalEnergies, that combination is exactly where the strongest opportunity lies, and what a just, realistic African transition means to us.

Beyond energy, TotalEnergies has become one of the most recognizable corporate partners of African football. Following two major AFCON tournaments in Morocco—the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the Africa Cup of Nations—what has the partnership with CAF meant to TotalEnergies, and why does football remain such an important part of the company’s African engagement?

Since 2016, our partnership with CAF has been much more than a sponsorship. It reflects our long-term commitment to Africa and our belief in the power of football as a force for unity, inclusion and opportunity across the continent.

Football has a unique ability to bring people together across generations, cultures and borders. Through our support for CAF competitions, we are proud to contribute to the development and visibility of African football while helping inspire young people across the continent. The Women’s AFCON deserves a specific mention: our support for women’s football reflects the same conviction we bring to gender inclusion inside our own organisation, and the visibility we give to female athletes changes what young women across the continent believe is possible for them.

This partnership also reflects who we are. Africa is an integral part of TotalEnergies’ history and future. Football allows us to strengthen our connection with communities, customers and stakeholders through moments that are shared, positive and deeply meaningful to millions of Africans.

TotalEnergies has been a consistent supporter and participant at African Energy Week. What makes AEW strategically valuable to the company, and what message will you be bringing to governments, investors, industry leaders and other stakeholders in Cape Town this year?

African Energy Week brings together the full ecosystem, governments, investors, operators, financiers around a shared agenda, and that concentrated dialogue is genuinely valuable. We have been consistent participants since the beginning.

The message I want to bring this year is straightforward. Africa has the resources, the talent and increasingly the institutional frameworks to drive its own energy future. What it needs now is capital that stays, partnerships that hold through complexity, and financing structures that reflect the actual risk profile of African projects rather than the perceived one. TotalEnergies has been making that case for decades. AEW is where we make it again, alongside the people who can act on it.

TotalEnergies’ ties with Africa stretch back almost a century. Looking beyond individual projects and today’s investment cycle, what does the next decade of that relationship look like, and what should Africans expect from TotalEnergies as the continent seeks greater energy security, industrialization and economic transformation? And one year on from our last conversation, are you more optimistic about Africa taking greater ownership of its energy agenda?

Nearly a century on this continent has taught us one thing above all: the partnerships that last are built on genuine alignment of interests. That is how we approach the next decade.

Our ambition is to be present across the full energy spectrum, from oil and gas to electricity and renewables, because Africa needs all of it and needs it at pace. We will continue to place local content, skills development, job creation and economic growth at the heart of every project we undertake, building local industries and capabilities that outlast any individual investment cycle.

On ownership of the energy agenda: yes, I am optimistic. Governments are taking a more strategic and assertive approach, setting clear national objectives and ensuring that energy projects deliver benefits well beyond production. Challenges remain, particularly around financing access and regulatory certainty in some markets. But the direction is clearly positive. African countries increasingly want to be partners in shaping their energy future. That growing sense of ownership is, for me, one of the strongest reasons for confidence in the decade ahead.

What Africans should expect from TotalEnergies is a company committed to delivering the energy they need: reliable, affordable and increasingly sustainable. That is our mission, and it is why we continue to invest for the long term, develop local capabilities and build partnerships that support the continent’s growth. Africa is not a chapter in our story. It is central to it.

*Culled from October Edition of PAV Magazine. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about registration.