Ndejembi pushes PURA to fast-track oil, gas exploration efforts

DAR ES SALAAM: Minister of Energy, Deogratius Ndejembi, has urged the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) to devise solid strategies that will help accelerate the exploration of oil and natural gas in the country.

Ndejembi made the remarks in Dar es Salaam on Monday (November 24, 2025), after meeting with PURA management, marking his maiden visit since assuming the position.

During the meeting, Ndejembi said he expects to see PURA putting more effort into formulating and implementing strategies that will speed up oil and gas exploration in the country, noting that such studies take a long time.

“I expect to see PURA preparing and implementing strategies that will stimulate the exploration of oil and natural gas in various blocks, including Ruvu, Mkuranga, and Tanga, which will outline in detail what needs to be done for us to achieve the desired results,” said Ndejembi, who is also the Member of Parliament for Chamwino Constituency in Dodoma.

In addition, Ndejembi urged PURA to continue providing constructive advice to the Ministry on how to make the investment environment in the petroleum upstream sector competitive, so that the expected results are achieved when the country embarks on the fifth licensing round for oil and gas exploration blocks.

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“Before we move to the fifth licensing round, I expect PURA to advise the Ministry on the steps we should take to make the environment more friendly for the investors we are targeting, while safeguarding our national interests. I expect this advice to come quickly so that we can make it successful,” Ndejembi stressed.

Ndejembi also emphasized that successfully executing the fifth licensing round will not only increase government revenue but will also allow the Ministry to help the Government leave a positive mark on the sector.

For his part, PURA Director General, Engineer Charles Sangweni, on behalf of the PURA management, thanked Minister Ndejembi and the entire Ministry leadership for allocating time to meet with PURA management.

Sangweni also pledged that PURA will continue to execute its duties effectively to achieve sectoral goals and contribute to Vision 2050.