The Government of Tanzania has announced plans to strengthen the use of clean and affordable energy by expanding Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure through the construction of 10 new filling stations across the country.
The announcement was made on May 28, 2026, in Parliament in Dodoma by the Deputy Minister for Energy, Salome Makamba, who said the initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to promote cleaner transport energy and reduce dependence on expensive imported fuels.
She said the new CNG stations will be built in strategic locations, with eight stations planned for Dar es Salaam, one in Mtwara, and one in Morogoro.
The expansion is expected to improve access to alternative fuel for motorists and support the country’s transition toward environmentally friendly energy sources.
In addition to permanent stations, the government is also finalizing the procurement of five mobile CNG stations to quickly extend services to areas that do not yet have fixed infrastructure.
Two mobile stations will be installed in Dar es Salaam, one in Morogoro at the Ardhi University area, and two in Dodoma at Mtumba Government City and Chako ni Chako area.
The Deputy Minister explained that mobile stations will help ensure faster access to CNG while long-term infrastructure is being developed, especially in rapidly growing urban and administrative centers.
She further noted that the government, through Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, is working closely with private sector partners to expand the country’s natural gas distribution network. Currently, Tanzania has 18 operational CNG stations located in Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, and Pwani regions.
According to her, discussions are also ongoing with six private companies to develop mini-LNG projects. These projects will convert natural gas into liquefied form, making it easier to transport using special vehicles to areas not yet reached by gas pipelines.
On pricing, she said the government’s decision to remove the 382 shillings per kilogram levy on CNG was aimed at making the fuel more affordable and encouraging more people to shift to cleaner energy for transport.
She emphasized that this policy will help reduce transport costs for citizens, cut air pollution, and increase the use of locally available energy resources, which is more sustainable for the national economy.
In regions already connected to natural gas pipelines, including Mtwara, the government is prioritizing direct supply to households and public institutions through pipeline networks rather than relying only on CNG stations.
She said this approach is designed to ensure citizens living near gas production areas benefit directly from natural gas for cooking, small industries, and daily energy needs.
The government has continued to position natural gas as a key pillar of its energy transition agenda, with ongoing investments expected to improve access, reduce energy costs, and support sustainable development across Tanzania.
