South African gas pipeline operator Rompco expects to finalise an agreement for a new LNG terminal involving Mozambique by January 2027, according to a Bloomberg report cited by Newsquawk. The disclosure marks one of the more concrete timelines to emerge from the broader effort to develop LNG export and regasification infrastructure linking southern Africa's gas-rich Mozambican basin to regional demand centres.
Rompco operates the pipeline that transports natural gas from Mozambique's Temane field to South Africa, making the company a structurally logical party to any infrastructure arrangement that expands the cross-border gas value chain. The addition of an LNG terminal would represent a significant step beyond the existing pipeline system, potentially enabling seaborne LNG imports, exports, or both, depending on the terminal's configuration and commercial purpose.
The article does not specify the terminal's location, proposed capacity, ownership structure, capital expenditure estimate, or which other parties — government entities, IOCs, or financiers — are involved in the negotiations. The instrument at this stage is described as a forthcoming agreement, meaning no heads of terms, MoU, or contract has yet been signed. The January 2027 deadline refers to the anticipated finalisation of that agreement, not to a final investment decision or construction timeline.
Mozambique remains one of sub-Saharan Africa's most closely watched gas provinces, with multi-trillion cubic feet reserves in the Rovuma Basin underpinning both onshore LNG megaprojects and a pipeline export system already in commercial operation. Progress on new LNG-linked infrastructure, even at the pre-agreement stage, signals continued commercial intent to monetise the country's gas resources through diversified routes to market. Regional energy security considerations — particularly South Africa's power and gas supply constraints — provide an additional commercial rationale for accelerating such infrastructure development.