Dar es Salaam — Prime Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba has directed the Ministry of Energy to accelerate the expansion of Tanzania’s natural gas distribution network, citing its critical role in driving industrial growth, transport efficiency, and power generation.
Speaking on 9 February 2026 during the inauguration of Puma Energies’ Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Mother Station in Salasala, Dar es Salaam, Dr. Nchemba said wider access to natural gas would help citizens lower fuel and energy costs while reducing the country’s reliance on imported petroleum products and foreign exchange expenditure.
The construction of the CNG Mother Station cost approximately TZS 13 billion.
“The Ministry of Energy should continue to speed up the development and availability of natural gas so that it becomes a common energy source in the daily lives of Tanzanians,” Dr. Nchemba said. “I also call upon all Tanzanians to seize the opportunity presented by the availability of compressed natural gas.”
Natural Gas Central to National Development Vision
Dr. Nchemba said the project reflects the implementation of the National Energy Policy and aligns with Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050, as well as the development priorities of the Sixth Phase Government under President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.
He emphasized that natural gas is a key catalyst for industrialisation, transport transformation, and electricity generation, and a cornerstone of Tanzania’s transition toward clean, safe, affordable, and reliable energy.
“The launch of this project marks a significant milestone in our national strategy to promote clean energy for sustainable economic and social development,” he said.
Government Strengthens Private Sector Partnerships
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to improving the investment climate, including maintaining stable policies, strengthening investor-friendly regulatory systems, ensuring transparency in decision-making, and enhancing cooperation between public institutions and the private sector.
“The Government values the contribution of the private sector in implementing development projects and delivering public services,” he said, adding that collaboration with private investors in the construction of CNG facilities will continue.
Clean Cooking and Transport Gains
Dr. Nchemba also highlighted progress in the clean energy transition, noting that within the first 100 days of President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, the Government facilitated the distribution of 13,575 improved cookstoves subsidised at 85 percent, and 28,653 six-kilogram LPG cylinders subsidised at 50 percent.
In addition, 89 institutions serving more than 100 people daily transitioned to clean cooking energy, bringing the total number of such institutions nationwide to 1,136.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Energy Ms. Salome Makamba said the transport sector is among the fastest-growing users of natural gas, with over 15,000 vehicles currently operating on CNG across the country.
As of January 2026, Tanzania had 11 CNG refuelling stations, nine in Dar es Salaam, one in the Coast Region, and one in Mtwara.
She said the Government, in partnership with the private sector, plans to increase the number of CNG stations to 20 by June 2026, particularly in Morogoro and Dodoma, to expand access in major cities and along key transport corridors.
