The Rural Energy Agency (REA), in partnership with the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), has completed a large-scale and strategic natural gas distribution project targeting communities located along the gas pipeline corridor in Lindi and Coast regions, marking a significant step in expanding access to clean and affordable energy.
The project, financed by REA at a cost of TZS 6.8 billion and implemented by TPDC, has extended gas infrastructure directly to end users, enabling households to shift from traditional biomass fuels to natural gas for cooking.
Speaking to journalists after an inspection exercise at Kisemvule in the Coast Region on January 22, 2026, REA’s Acting Manager for Technical Support to Project Developers, Eng. Emanuel Yesaya, said the project has so far connected 530 households.
He noted that the initiative involved laying 25 kilometres of natural gas pipelines of varying sizes, alongside the construction of a pressure-reducing station to support safe and efficient gas supply.
According to Eng. Yesaya, the gas distribution network now reaches homes in Vikindu Ward, including Kisemvule Village, giving residents direct access to natural gas for domestic use.
He said households are free to start using the service once they acquire gas cookers.
“The installed system allows residents to purchase gas at any time using the government’s Control Number payment system,” he said, underscoring the project’s digital payment integration as a key convenience feature.
He urged residents to adopt natural gas, citing its affordability and environmental benefits, particularly in reducing deforestation and charcoal use.
REA and TPDC, he added, will continue conducting public awareness campaigns to promote clean cooking energy.
The project was officially completed on January 4, 2026, with 222 out of the 530 households connected as of January 22 after receiving gas meters and purchasing cooking appliances.
At the community level, Kisemvule Village Chairperson Omary Makunge praised REA for financing the project, describing it as a catalyst for local development and improved living standards.
He said residents have welcomed the service due to its safety, cost-effectiveness, and reliability, noting a growing demand from households not initially covered by the project.
“The village has recorded rapid progress since natural gas was introduced to homes. Requests for new connections are increasing, and we appeal to REA to expand the project so more residents can benefit,” he said.
Residents have also highlighted the economic and practical advantages of natural gas. Mwanahamisi Seif said charcoal is increasingly expensive and time-consuming compared to gas, prompting many households to switch to cleaner energy.
Meanwhile, Veronica Bonaventure pointed to the flexibility of the system, saying she was once able to purchase gas at night via mobile phone — a convenience not possible with conventional fuel suppliers.
For low-income households, Mariam Rashid said natural gas has become an affordable alternative, noting that as little as TZS 1,000 worth of gas can sustain cooking needs for up to three days.
Observers say the project reflects a broader government push to expand clean energy access, cut household energy costs, and reduce environmental degradation, while positioning natural gas as a transitional fuel in Tanzania’s long-term energy strategy.