Minister for Energy Deogratius Ndejembi has directed the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) to intensify inspections of fuel storage depots across the country to ensure that no traders hoard fuel in anticipation of possible price increases linked to tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking in Dodoma during a meeting with institutions responsible for overseeing the petroleum sub-sector, Ndejembi said the government will not tolerate any attempts by traders to hide fuel supplies while waiting for global prices to rise.
The minister said Tanzania currently enjoys strong fuel security and the government has put in place adequate measures to ensure that citizens continue receiving fuel services without disruption.
He therefore instructed EWURA to closely monitor fuel depots to ensure that all available fuel stocks remain accessible to the market and are not withheld for speculative purposes.
The directive comes amid concerns that the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could disrupt global fuel markets, potentially leading to supply shortages and price volatility in some countries.
However, Ndejembi reassured the public that Tanzania’s fuel supply situation remains stable.
To further strengthen oversight of the sector, the minister ordered the formation of a special task force to monitor the importation of fuel into the country and ensure that all contracted shipments reach Tanzania on time.
The team will include experts from the Petroleum Bulk Procurement Agency (PBPA), EWURA, the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and representatives from national security agencies.
Ndejembi said the team will track every stage of the fuel importation process to ensure that shipments already purchased and currently in transit arrive without delays.
He cautioned that the global fuel trade environment remains uncertain, noting that fuel prices have doubled in some markets, a situation that could tempt some traders to redirect supplies to more profitable destinations.
Despite these global uncertainties, he stressed that suppliers must honour contracts signed with Tanzania.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy responsible for Petroleum and Natural Gas James Mataragio also assured Tanzanians that the country has sufficient fuel reserves expected to last until July 2026.
He said the government had taken early steps, working closely with its institutions, to secure reliable fuel supplies and ensure that the product remains available at manageable costs.
The ministry, he added, will continue supervising its agencies to guarantee that all fuel shipments reach the country on time while also ensuring that traders do not use global challenges as an excuse to inflate prices.
Earlier, Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Bulk Procurement Agency Erasto Simon said the current fuel supply situation in Tanzania remains stable.
He explained that when combining fuel already in storage and shipments on the way, the country has about 474 million litres of petrol, enough to cover 78 days of demand, 392 million litres of diesel sufficient for 50 days and 55 million litres of aviation fuel that can last for 91 days.
Managing Director of the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation Mussa Makame said the government had secured supply contracts early to ensure that sufficient fuel is available both within the country and in transit.
Meanwhile, EWURA Director General James Andilile said the market remains stable with no unusual price pressure at the moment.
He said EWURA will continue working closely with fuel importers and distributors to ensure that any challenges in the supply chain are addressed quickly so that citizens can continue accessing fuel services reliably across the country.
