Over 5,000 three-wheelers converted to use CNG

LINDI: MORE than 5,000 three wheeled motorised vehicles in Tanzania have been converted to use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative to petrol or diesel, according to the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC).

The announcement was made by Senior Community Development Officer at TPDC, Mr Ally Mluge during the ongoing Nane Nane 2025 exhibition for the Southern Zone in Lindi Region.

“To date, over 5,000 three-wheeled vehicles are running on CNG instead of petrol or diesel,” Mr Mluge said, noting the growing shift towards cleaner and more cost-effective fuel solutions.

He added that TPDC has developed eight CNG filling stations across the country, including the largest ‘mother station’ in Dar es Salaam, which was launched in May 2025.

The facility has the capacity to refuel up to 1,200 vehicles per day and is expected to significantly reduce fuel costs and ease congestion at other filling stations.

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In a related development, Mr Mluge noted that approximately 1,512 households in Dar es Salaam, Lindi and Mtwara have been connected to natural gas for clean cooking purposes. In addition, 57 industries are now using natural gas as a clean energy source.

TPDC is also implementing a project in the Mnazi Mmoja area of Lindi to distribute clean cooking gas to 470 households in Lindi and 570 households in Mkuranga District, Coast Region. Furthermore, Mr Mluge said that TPDC, in collaboration with the Rural Energy Agency (REA), is supporting the National Clean Cooking Strategy.

The strategy aims to connect 80 per cent of Tanzanian households to clean cooking solutions by the year 2034.

“TPDC is fully committed to the National Clean Cooking Strategy and is working closely with REA to promote the adoption of clean cooking technologies across households, institutions and commercial users,” he said.

Lindi District Commissioner, Ms Victoria Mwanziva, praised TPDC’s efforts in expanding access to clean cooking energy. She noted that the initiative has reduced reliance on polluting fuels and helped mitigate the negative impacts of traditional cooking methods.

“We truly appreciate TPDC’s efforts, especially their public awareness campaigns which are playing a crucial role in encouraging communities to adopt clean energy solutions,” she said.