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Tanzania is positioning itself to benefit from vast natural gas reserves estimated at 57.54 trillion cubic feet, a development expected to play a key role in accelerating the country’s economic transformation while attracting large-scale energy investments.
Speaking at the Powering Africa Summit 2026 in Washington, DC on March 21, Deputy Minister for Energy Salome Makamba said the discovery places Tanzania among Africa’s most promising destinations for investment in the energy sector.
She noted that although the country has already confirmed significant gas reserves, about 70 percent of areas with potential oil and gas deposits remain unexplored, creating vast opportunities for international investors interested in exploration and production.
Makamba said the government is currently preparing a new licensing round for oil and gas exploration blocks as part of broader efforts to attract new investors and expand resource development.
“Tanzania has enormous potential in the oil and gas sector, and we are inviting investors to take part in unlocking these opportunities,” she said.
The deputy minister added that the country is also moving forward with major strategic projects, including the development of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project that will enable Tanzania to access global energy markets while boosting government revenues.
At the same time, the government is prioritising greater domestic use of natural gas to support electricity generation, industrial production, household energy supply and transportation.
According to Makamba, expanding the use of gas within the country will increase the value derived from the resource while supporting industrial growth and economic diversification.
She also emphasised the need for investment in key infrastructure such as gas pipelines, distribution systems and filling stations to ensure wider access to the cleaner energy source.
“These are strategic opportunities for investors. Tanzania has created a transparent and reliable investment environment that ensures mutual benefits for both investors and the nation,” she said.
Increased use of natural gas is also expected to reduce industrial production costs while supporting environmental protection by lowering dependence on traditional energy sources such as charcoal and firewood.
With substantial reserves and a growing policy focus on energy development, Tanzania aims to transform its natural gas resources into a catalyst for job creation, industrial expansion and sustained economic growth in the years ahead.
