Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi has taken new steps to protect citizens from unexpected fuel shortages, directing the Petroleum Bulk Procurement Agency (PBPA) to strengthen national fuel reserves and improve key infrastructure.
During his visit to the PBPA headquarters in Dar es Salaam on November 25, 2025, the minister emphasized that reliable fuel supply is essential for everyday life powering transport, production, and basic services relied upon by millions of Tanzanians.
Minister Ndejembi said maintaining strong reserves will help shield the public from sudden spikes in fuel prices and disruptions that can affect transport costs, food prices, and business operations.
“When the country has enough fuel in reserve, citizens benefit directly. Transport remains stable, businesses continue operating, and families are protected from unexpected price increases,” he said. “Strong storage infrastructure gives the economy room to breathe and ensures services run smoothly.”
He called on PBPA to invest more in modern storage and offloading infrastructure to guarantee quality and safety of fuel entering the country.
Better infrastructure, he noted, reduces delays at ports and helps fuel reach the market faster ultimately benefiting consumers.
Minister Ndejembi also urged the agency to work more closely with private sector partners to expand storage capacity across the country.
According to him, this will prevent the long-standing challenges of bottlenecks, slow fuel offloading, and occasional shortages.
PBPA Chief Executive Officer Erasto Simon presented the agency’s progress, saying they are finalizing the integration of new digital systems that will ensure uniform pricing and more efficient distribution across all ports.
He said this will promote fairness and lower operational delays that often translate into higher costs for consumers.
The minister was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Engineer Felchesmi Mramba, and other senior experts from the ministry.
The visit is part of a national effort to strengthen fuel security and ensure Tanzanians continue to access energy reliably and affordably.