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Hass Petroleum Chairman Abdinasir Ali Hassan is seeking strategic partnerships with the Mozambican government to expand operations in the country’s natural gas and energy sectors, signaling a broader shift by East Africa–linked firms toward southern Africa’s untapped energy assets.
Speaking to reporters in Maputo following a meeting with President Daniel Chapo, Hassan described the talks as “fruitful” and hinted at an evolving alliance between Hass Petroleum, the government of Mozambique, and OQ Trading Lda—the international trading arm of the Omani government.
“We’re here to discuss how we can create partnerships with the Omani and Mozambican governments in the energy and oil sector,” Hassan said. “Mozambique is a very good country for doing business.”
The Somali-born executive emphasized that the government had responded positively and was ready to proceed to “the second level” of discussions—interpreted as early-stage cooperation on projects within Mozambique’s upstream and midstream gas infrastructure.
Mozambique, home to one of the world’s largest untapped natural gas reserves, has increasingly attracted investor interest despite recent delays and insurgency-related instability in the north. Companies from TotalEnergies to Eni have sought to position themselves in the country’s gas value chain, and now East African players appear to be entering the fray.
Hassan described Mozambique as a strategic hub for regional energy logistics, citing its more than 2,000 kilometers of coastline and access to key ports.
“Mozambique has around four ports—Beira, Maputo, Nacala—and others that can serve landlocked countries like Malawi, Zambia, the DRC, Congo, and Zimbabwe,” he said. “It’s centrally positioned, a gateway where we can do business and work together.”
Hass Petroleum, based in Nairobi, operates in more than 11 countries across East Africa and maintains commercial offices in London and Dubai. The company has steadily expanded its upstream ambitions beyond fuel retailing, and the Mozambique move could mark a deeper step into energy project development in partnership with OQ Trading.
While no concrete deal has been announced, both sides signaled interest in accelerating engagement. “He [President Chapo] received us very well and also blessed us,” Hassan said. “The government is ready.”
