Local Economic Development

TotalEnergies interacts closely with local communities in host countries where it operates, with a vision of shared prosperity based on three principles: dialogue and engagement with all host communities; assessing and reducing the impact of operations and contributing to local social and economic development that meets the needs of the communities.

TotalEnergies is actively involved in the economic development of the regions in which it operates:

  • by supporting employment and the development of local businesses (local content);
  • by contributing to local socio-economic development;
  • by developing relationships with communities through development or general interest projects.

TotalEnergies promotes local employment and subcontracting where possible, contributes to community socio-economic development projects and encourages its employees to get involved with associations working in the public interest.

Our socio-economic indicators (XLS)

TotalEnergies is committed to promoting local employment and subcontracting wherever possible, while respecting its operational constraints.

For the Company's large industrial projects, a local content development and management approach has been structured to strengthen the positive impact on local employment and economic activity notably by involving the main suppliers.

Calls for tenders include local content criteria aimed to ensure at least equal opportunity for local subcontractors, or, depending on the local context, quantified contractual obligations (use of local subcontractors, employment, investment in local capacities) for subcontractors.

The Tilenga and EACOP projects have developed of a detailed national and local content plan covering local employment, local procurement of goods and services, and local skills development. These plans have been approved by the national authorities. In terms of investment, the plan is to spend $1.2 billion with local contractors during the construction phase. In terms of jobs, another strong expectation, these projects aim to create nearly 18,000 direct jobs and 60,000 indirect jobs during the construction phase. Priority is given to local communities and Ugandan and Tanzanian nationals for these jobs.

TotalEnergies supports economic and social development in the regions where it operates (PDF)

Contributing to the socio-economic development of local communities is part of TotalEnergies’ societal approach based on respect and stakeholders’ engagement, responsible impact management and value creation in host territories.

The Company works closely with local communities to understand their needs and develop projects that directly benefit them and improve their living conditions.

For example, TotalEnergies supports the education and professional integration of young people, the preservation of cultural heritage, access to water, to health and road safety, all of which help to reduce inequalities.

The Mozambique LNG Project has been under Force Majeure since 2021. In 2024, a foundation dedicated to implementing a voluntary socio-economic development program in the Cabo Delgado region was established. It has a multi-year budget of 200 M$. Programs dedicated to agriculture, fishing, small businesses and mobility were supported in 2024. For example, 1,885 households received agricultural training and seed kits and over 100,000 tree seedlings were distributed to restore local ecosystems.

TotalEnergies is convinced that a company must be a proactive player, in addition to making socio-economic and societal contributions.

In 2018, the Company introduced a worldwide employee community volunteering program called Action!, designed to give its employees the time and opportunity to do more in favor of the development of its host territories.

Action! Lets volunteer employees devote up to three workdays a year to local community projects.

These are opportunities to play a part in achieving the Company’s aim of driving positive change locally.

By the end of 2024, the program had been implemented in one hundred countries. Approximately 57,000 inclusive projects have been carried out by close to 24,000 employees since the program’s launch.

Find out more about our employees' commitment on the TotalEnergies Foundation website

In France, we are implementing a wide range of initiatives aimed at forging links with our public and private stakeholders at local level, in order to foster a dialogue focused on and towards the regions. This approach is supported by our France division.

Partnership agreements and declarations of cooperation are regularly signed with regions, metropolitan areas and associations of local authorities or professionals in order to support them on a day-to-day basis, particularly in their energy transition challenges.

Through our France division, we also support the creation and nurturing of sustainable local jobs by providing financial assistance in the form of interest-free loans for projects to create, take over or develop SMEs and start-ups. At the same time, the France Division also supports French SMEs expanding internationally by mobilising our foreign subsidiaries and their networks to help these companies prospect for new markets and open up internationally.

Lastly, TotalEnergies is aware of the importance of industry to local business and economic development, and opts for industrial change rather than site closures where possible. These changes are based on productive investments made by TotalEnergies in new activities in line with market developments and the challenges of energy transition, and on the France division’s implementation of initiatives to support local regions.

Find out more about our France division (in French)

Chapter 5.3.3.4 – “Actions to manage material impacts and opportunities for affected communities”

Universal Registration Document 2024

More Energy, Less Emissions

Sustainability & Climate 2025 Progress Report

March 2025