By our Respondent Reporter
In its efforts to advance Tanzania’s transition to compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles, the government, through the Ministry of Energy, is strengthening infrastructure development by overseeing the construction of new CNG filling stations in Tanzania
Speaking during an inspection tour of ongoing CNG projects in Dar es Salaam, the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy (Oil and Gas), Dr. James Mataragio, said the government is implementing robust measures to speed up the distribution of CNG.
“The Ministry of Energy, in collaboration with the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA), and the National Environment Management Council (NEMC), has set clear strategies to fast-track the issuance of construction permits for CNG stations.” Dr. Mataragio said.
During the tour, Dr. Mataragio inspected CNG stations under construction in Tegeta (Puma), Goba (BQ and Tanzania State Natural Gas), Mwenge (Enego Energies), Africana (Tan Health), and the TPDC station at Muhimbili National Hospital, which has already been completed.
All stations are being built by local contractors, a move that empowers Tanzanian expertise and boosts domestic capacity in the energy sector.
Constructions of the Dar stations are in the final stages and are expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Among them, the Puma Tegeta station has been highlighted as the largest in Dar es Salaam and Africa, with a daily production capacity of 6.7 million cubic feet of CNG, surpassing Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa's CNG Projects.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary also reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting CNG-powered vehicles as a replacement for diesel and petrol cars.
“We believe CNG is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and beneficial to the nation. The Ministry of Energy will lead by example, transitioning to CNG-powered vehicles across its fleet,” he stated.
He further announced that the ministry will soon organize a workshop bringing together stakeholders in the CNG business — including financial institutions, private sector investors, and public agencies — to build awareness of opportunities in the CNG and Mini LNG sectors.
The tour was also attended by technical experts from the Ministry of Energy and TPDC.
