PURA–ZPRA partnership vital to boosting Tanzania energy sector

DAR ES SALAAM: The mainland’s Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) and the Zanzibar Petroleum Regulatory Authority (ZPRA) have expressed pride in the achievements gained since the two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2022.

The achievements brought by the partnership of the mentioned regulators were revealed on July 1, 2025, in Dar es Salaam during a meeting involving the management teams of PURA and ZPRA, aimed at reviewing the implementation report of the MoU for the 2024/25 financial year.

Speaking during the meeting, PURA Director General Eng Charles Sangweni said that since the MoU came into effect, both PURA and ZPRA have successfully collaborated on various issues, including building mutual understanding in regulating upstream petroleum activities such as exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas.

“It is something to be proud of to see how the implementation of the MoU between us has continued to strengthen year after year, and we have achieved a lot through this partnership,” added Sangweni.

On his part, ZPRA executive director Eng Mohammed Said noted that the three years of the MoU have brought significant benefits to both institutions, particularly in the area of capacity building.

Since the MoU was signed, PURA and ZPRA have exchanged experiences and enhanced capacity in several areas, including petroleum data management, auditing investment costs, and the development of laws, regulations, and guidelines.

Other areas of collaboration include regulation and oversight of upstream petroleum activities and promoting citizen participation in the sector.