Tanzania eyes to advance its natural resources to claim the global gas-rich status

BANGKOK: TANZANIA has expressed its ambition to play a significant role in shaping the next generation of global natural gas production and supply by developing its resources to high standards and building an integrated gas value chain.

The statement was made by Deputy Minister for Energy Salome Makamba during a global panel discussion titled “The New Energy Powers: Who Will Shape the Next Era of Gas Supply?” at the Gastech 2026 conference in Bangkok, Thailand.

The discussion focused on ongoing changes in the global gas market, geopolitical challenges, shifting energy demand, the emergence of new gas supply sources and how gas-rich countries can position themselves among key producers and suppliers in the next era.

Speaking during the session, Makamba said Tanzania’s experience has shown that having large natural gas reserves alone is not enough. She said the true value of the resource is realised when it can be transformed into reliable and competitive energy that drives economic development.

ALSO READ: Tanzania hails the Blue Economy Conference for providing in-depth knowledge on management marine and natural resources

She said Tanzania’s gas history, including the discovery of gas at Songo Songo in the 1970s and the start of commercial production in 2004, demonstrates that resource discoveries alone do not create value without investment, infrastructure, investor-friendly policies, growing markets and a shared commitment between the Government and the private sector.

Tanzania currently has more than 57 trillion cubic feet of discovered natural gas reserves, with a significant portion of the resources located in deep offshore areas.

Despite its substantial reserves, Tanzania has continued to utilise onshore and shallow-water gas resources as catalysts for national development.

According to Makamba, the Songo Songo and Mnazi Bay gas fields have become key pillars of Tanzania’s energy system, contributing to electricity generation and enabling the use of natural gas in industries, institutions, households and the transport sector through the growing adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG).