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The Government has intensified efforts to expand access to clean and affordable energy, with a total of 2,512 households now connected to natural gas infrastructure across key regions of Tanzania, Parliament was informed in Dodoma on May 8, 2026.
Deputy Minister for Energy Salome Makamba told the National Assembly that the expansion reflects ongoing government investment in clean energy systems aimed at improving living standards and reducing reliance on traditional cooking fuels such as charcoal and firewood.
She was responding to a question from Special Seats Member of Parliament Asha Omar Rashid, who sought clarification on the government’s strategy to improve access to gas energy in rural and peri-urban areas.
Makamba said the government, through the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), is implementing natural gas distribution projects that are steadily reaching more households across the country.
By April 2026, the distribution of connections showed 425 households in Mtwara, 677 in Lindi, 530 in Pwani, and 880 in Dar es Salaam, bringing the total to 2,512 households benefiting from direct natural gas supply.
She explained that the expansion is part of a broader national agenda to promote clean cooking energy, improve public health, and reduce environmental degradation caused by the heavy use of biomass fuels.
In addition to natural gas connections, the government is also scaling up access to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) through a nationwide programme led by the Rural Energy Agency (REA).
Under this initiative, 452,445 LPG cylinders of six kilograms are being distributed at a 50 per cent subsidy to encourage more households, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, to switch to cleaner cooking energy.
Makamba said the subsidy is designed to make clean energy more affordable and accessible, particularly for low-income households that have traditionally depended on firewood and charcoal.
She added that the government is also encouraging private sector investment in LPG distribution networks to ensure wider coverage and availability of clean cooking energy across the country.
According to her, this partnership approach is expected to strengthen supply systems and bring services closer to communities that have not yet benefited from modern energy infrastructure.
The government is also conducting detailed studies in both urban and rural areas to identify the most effective and efficient systems for delivering natural gas.
These studies aim to determine the best infrastructure models based on population needs, settlement patterns, and geographical conditions.
Makamba said the findings will help guide future investments and support the development of more targeted and sustainable energy distribution projects, including new public-private partnership initiatives.
She emphasized that improving access to clean energy is central to the government’s development agenda, as it directly contributes to better health, reduced environmental damage, and improved quality of life for citizens.
The expansion of natural gas and LPG access is also expected to reduce pressure on forests by lowering dependence on charcoal and firewood, which remain widely used in many parts of the country.
Officials say increased adoption of clean cooking energy will also help reduce indoor air pollution, a major health concern affecting many households, especially women and children.
Lawmakers welcomed the government’s efforts, noting that expanding access to affordable energy is a key step toward improving livelihoods, particularly in rural communities where energy access remains limited.
They urged continued investment in infrastructure and stronger coordination between government institutions and the private sector to accelerate the rollout of clean energy services.
The Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation and the Rural Energy Agency were highlighted as key institutions driving implementation of the national clean energy agenda in collaboration with development partners and private investors.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that more Tanzanians benefit from reliable, safe, and affordable energy sources, as part of its broader goal of achieving inclusive and sustainable development across the country.
