By Charles Mkoka
The Government Negotiation Team for Liquefied Natural Gas (GNT-LNG) is undertaking a key training visit to Indonesia, aiming to foster collaboration and exchange expertise in the oil and gas sector.
This initiative highlights Tanzania’s commitment to strengthening its energy sector by learning from Indonesia’s well-established LNG industry.
Led by Dr. James Mataragio, Deputy Permanent Secretary in Tanzania’s Ministry of Energy, the delegation includes senior officials such as Mr. Elijah Mwandubya, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance; Mr. Nehemia Mchechu, Registrar of the Treasury; Mr. Godluck Shirima, Commissioner for Petroleum and Gas and Secretary of GNT-LNG; and Hon. Charles Sangweni, Chairman of GNT-LNG.
The visit, coordinated through the Ministry of Energy, features high-level discussions with key Indonesian institutions overseeing oil and gas operations. These include the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Indonesian National Oil Company (PERTAMINA), and the Upstream Petroleum Activities Regulatory Authority (SKK Migas).
Central to these talks are strategies for strengthening bilateral cooperation and sharing Indonesia’s experience in executing large-scale LNG projects. The GNT-LNG also showcased Tanzania’s investment opportunities in oil and natural gas, which were met with enthusiasm by Indonesian counterparts. Indonesia’s readiness to collaborate further signals a promising pathway for advancing Tanzania’s energy ambitions.
Dr. Mataragio emphasized the importance of enhancing the long-standing partnership between the two nations. “This visit is a testament to our shared commitment to fostering collaboration in the energy sector,” he said. “We look forward to deeper ties between institutions such as Tanzania’s PURA and Indonesia’s SKK Migas, as well as between TPDC and PERTAMINA.”
The delegation is set to visit two of Indonesia’s leading LNG facilities—the Botang LNG Plant and the Donggi Senoro LNG Plant—as part of their mission to gain practical insights into state-of-the-art operations.
This visit marks a significant step in Tanzania’s efforts to develop its oil and gas sector, leveraging international expertise to position itself as a regional energy hub. The outcomes of this collaboration are expected to benefit both countries, strengthening their economic ties and paving the way for future energy partnerships.