The governor of Inhambane province, Francisco Manuel Pagula, has warned that the absence of certification could limit the ability of local companies to compete for contracts linked to major oil and gas projects, calling for stronger competencies and quality standards among provincial businesses to meet the requirements of large industry operators.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Africa Gas & LNG Summit held in Maputo, Pagula argued that certification must play a central role in preparing domestic companies to integrate into the industry’s supply chain, in order to avoid competitive disadvantages relative to firms from other provinces and from abroad.

“How do we prepare local companies so that they are not at a competitive disadvantage compared to other companies, whether national or foreign?” he asked.

The governor pointed to the hospitality and restaurant sectors as examples of industries where the entry of large corporate groups already demands compliance with certification requirements, arguing that the same concern must be reflected in gas projects and other major developments.

The issue carries particular weight in the context of implementing the Local Content Law, which seeks to increase the participation of domestic companies in the oil and gas industry. However, according to Pagula, questions remain over the distribution of opportunities between companies based in Maputo and those established in the provinces where investments are taking place.

For the governor, the concept of local content must continue to be debated in order to ensure greater participation of provincial economies in the benefits generated by large-scale projects.

Despite these challenges, Francisco Manuel Pagula said that some Inhambane companies are already providing services to Sasol and other firms connected to its operations, noting that this experience demonstrates the capacity of the province’s business community to integrate into the industry supply chain.

The governor also advocated for community involvement from the earliest stages of projects, arguing that local participation is essential for investment acceptance and operational stability.

“The project cannot belong only to the capital holder. The project holder must be the community itself,” he said.

Beyond business participation, Pagula called for stronger alignment between vocational training and employment opportunities in major developments, arguing that qualified young people must have concrete prospects for integration into projects carried out in the province.