Motorists call for more natural gas stations

DAR ES SALAAM: SOME motorists in Dar es Salaam are calling for a significant increase in the number of natural gas filling stations, citing the current scarcity as a major obstacle for drivers using cleaner fuel alternatives.

Many said the limited availability of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) filling stations forces them to travel long distances to refuel, adding time and cost to their journeys.

A motorist, Mr Lazaro Swai from Kigamboni in Dar es Salaam, said on Monday that traveling long distances to refuel significantly increases both his expenses and time on the road.

“Expanding CNG filling stations would make the fuel a more practical and affordable option for drivers like me, reducing costs and supporting cleaner, greener energy,” he said.

Currently, Dar es Salaam has eight operational CNG filling stations, with expansion plans underway. However, most of these stations are concentrated along Mandela, Nyerere and Sam Nujoma roads, limiting access for users in other areas of the city.

This highlights the need for a more evenly distributed network to maximise the benefits of natural gas as an alternative fuel.

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A resident of Bunju, Ms Martha Ngoli, said that people in Bunju, Mbezi and Tegeta often travel over 20 kilometres to refuel, posing significant challenges for commercial drivers such as ‘bajaji’ (rickshaw) operators and ride-hailing drivers.

Ms Ngoli noted she would consider converting her car to natural gas only if filling stations were established along Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road. Similarly, Ms Amina Musa from Kawe said the lack of stations in outlying areas not only causes inconvenience but also reduces drivers’ income due to lost time spent traveling for fuel.

She urged both the government and private sector to prioritise expanding CNG stations in underserved areas such as Kigamboni, Bunju, Mbagala and Kawe to encourage natural gas adoption and support local livelihoods.

The growing demand for CNG filling stations is creating substantial investment opportunities in gas infrastructure, vehicle conversion services, logistics and maintenance positioning the sector as a key contributor to Tanzania’s green economy. Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Dr James Mataragio, announced that six new CNG stations are expected to begin operations by the end of the year.

These will include central “mother stations” that supply smaller “daughter stations” across Dar es Salaam and in other regions such as Morogoro and Dodoma.

According to Credit Info Tanzania Business Intelligence Analyst, Mr Iman Minja, the number of vehicles using natural gas more than doubled from about 3,100 in 2023 to 7,000 last year. Projections estimate this number will reach 15,000 by the end of this year.

“For a country that has often moved slowly in energy transitions, this pace is striking,” Mr Minja commented.

The government views the expansion of CNG infrastructure as crucial for economic growth, reducing dependency on imported petroleum and advancing environmental sustainability goals.

“For Tanzania,” Mr Minja added, “every litre of imported petrol is not only expensive but also vulnerable to global shocks and currency fluctuations. If CNG can replace even a fraction of that, the savings will ripple through the entire economy.” Tanzania’s vast natural gas reserves, estimated at 57.5 trillion cubic feet, provide a strong foundation to support this transition and position the country as a regional leader in sustainable energy.