PM orders fast expansion of natural gas network

DAR ES SALAAM: PRIME Minister, Dr Mwigulu Nchemba, has directed the Ministry of Energy to accelerate the expansion of the natural gas distribution network to meet the country’s growing demand.

The Premier said the move will enable citizens to benefit from lower operational costs for motor vehicles and other energy uses, while also helping the government reduce foreign exchange expenditure on fuel imports.

Dr Nchemba made the remarks yesterday during the inauguration of a parent Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station owned by Puma Energies at Salasala in Dar es Salaam.

The construction of the station cost approximately 13bn/-. He further instructed the Ministry to intensify natural gas exploration to ensure it becomes a common source of energy in the daily lives of Tanzanians.

“The Ministry of Energy should continue accelerating natural gas exploration so that it becomes a regular energy source for Tanzanians. I urge citizens to seize the opportunity presented by the availability of compressed natural gas,” he said.

ALSO READ: Social protection sector value hits 24tri/-

The Prime Minister noted that the project reflects the implementation of the National Energy Policy and the National Development Vision 2050. He added that the initiative is in line with the sixth phase government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, which aims to ensure energy resources, particularly natural gas, serve as a catalyst for industrial development, transportation and electricity generation.

Dr Nchemba said the project marks a significant milestone in implementing the national strategy to transition to clean, safe, affordable and reliable energy for socioeconomic development.

“By undertaking this investment, Puma Energies has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the government’s efforts to promote the use of clean energy,” he said.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the investment climate by strengthening policies, ensuring investor-friendly regulatory frameworks, enhancing transparency in decision-making and promoting close collaboration between public institutions and the private sector.

“The government values the contribution of the private sector in implementing development projects and delivering public services. We will continue working closely with private investors in expanding CNG infrastructure,” he said.

Dr Nchemba also said that within the first 100 days of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, the government facilitated the distribution of 13,575 improved cookstoves subsidised by 85 per cent and 28,653 sixkilogramme LPG cylinders subsidised by 50 per cent.

He added that the government has also enabled 89 institutions serving more than 100 people daily to transition to clean cooking energy, bringing the total number of such institutions to 1,136.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Energy, Ms Salome Makamba, said the transport sector is among the fastest-growing consumers of natural gas through the use of CNG, with more than 15,000 vehicles currently using the fuel.

She noted that as of January 2026, the country had 11 CNG filling stations, nine of which are located in Dar es Salaam, while one each is in the Coast Region and Mtwara.

Ms Makamba said the government, in collaboration with the private sector, plans to increase the number of CNG stations to 20 by June 2026, particularly in Morogoro and Dodoma regions, to enhance accessibility in major cities and along key transport corridors.