ExxonMobil Names Johanna Boothey to Lead Mozambique Operations

ExxonMobil has appointed Johanna Boothey as Lead Country Manager and Chairperson of its Mozambique business, signalling a key leadership move as the company advances plans for one of Africa’s most significant LNG developments.

The appointment was announced by ExxonMobil Mozambique on Monday. Boothey brings more than 30 years of international energy industry experience, having held senior leadership positions across multiple markets and complex project environments.

She joins the Mozambique operation from ExxonMobil Papua New Guinea, where she served as Development Manager and played a central role in progressing major LNG expansion initiatives. Her experience in managing large-scale gas developments is expected to support ExxonMobil’s strategic objectives in Mozambique as the company works towards a final investment decision (FID) on the Rovuma LNG project.

In her new position, Boothey will oversee ExxonMobil’s activities in Mozambique, including project development, stakeholder engagement and strategic partnerships. The company said her mandate includes strengthening collaboration with government and industry stakeholders while supporting the country’s long-term energy and economic development goals.

The leadership change comes at a pivotal stage for the Rovuma LNG project, one of the largest undeveloped natural gas projects globally. ExxonMobil Chief Executive Darren Woods has previously indicated that the project partners are targeting an FID in 2026.
Momentum around the development has increased since the project’s force majeure status was lifted in 2025, allowing partners to resume preparations for execution.

The project is being developed by Mozambique Rovuma Venture (MRV), a consortium comprising ExxonMobil, Eni and CNPC. MRV operates the offshore Area 4 concession in the Rovuma Basin, home to the substantial Mamba gas discoveries that will supply feedstock to the planned LNG export facility at Afungi in Cabo Delgado Province.

MRV holds a 70 per cent participating interest in the Area 4 concession, while Galp, Kogas and Mozambique’s national oil company, Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH), each retain a 10 per cent stake.
Under the project structure, ExxonMobil is responsible for the construction and operation of the LNG liquefaction facilities, while Eni leads the development and operation of the upstream infrastructure.

As Mozambique seeks to establish itself as a major global LNG supplier, industry observers will closely watch how ExxonMobil’s new leadership team steers the project through its next phase and towards investment sanction.