By Our news reporter,
Dodoma, Tanzania — Tanzania's upstream petroleum regulator says the country is increasingly benefiting from oil and gas exploration activities through growing state revenues, stronger local participation and expanding use of natural gas, particularly in the government's clean cooking energy campaign.
Speaking to journalists in Dodoma during the climax of the 2026 Public Service Week celebrations, the Director General of the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA), Charles Sangweni, said the agency has recorded significant progress since its establishment through the supervision of petroleum exploration, development and production projects.
Sangweni said PURA continues to ensure that agreements signed with investors deliver benefits to the country through royalties, taxes and other revenues, while also creating opportunities for Tanzanians through local content requirements.
"We are making sure that petroleum projects generate value for the nation while creating opportunities for citizens through participation in the industry, employment and business opportunities," he said.
According to Sangweni, the regulator closely monitors compliance with local content policies and regulations to ensure Tanzanian companies and professionals benefit from the sector wherever local capacity exists.
He said procurement opportunities for goods and services available within the country are prioritised for Tanzanian firms, while efforts are also being made to build the capacity of local professionals to meet international industry standards.
The regulator noted that the government's clean cooking energy campaign, led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has accelerated the adoption of natural gas as an alternative to traditional cooking fuels, strengthening demand for domestically produced energy resources.
Sangweni said the growing use of natural gas in households and institutions has reinforced PURA's commitment to supporting the development of the country's gas resources and ensuring they contribute to economic growth.
"Tanzania has substantial natural gas resources and demand continues to grow. The resource has an important role to play in supporting development and the transition towards cleaner energy solutions," he said.
He added that Tanzania's petroleum sector remains focused on advancing exploration activities, with continued hopes of discovering commercial oil resources in addition to the country's proven natural gas reserves.
Sangweni noted that global energy trends are changing as electric vehicles and cleaner fuels gradually reduce dependence on conventional petroleum products. However, he said natural gas is expected to remain an important transition fuel for many economies, including Tanzania.
PURA is responsible for regulating and overseeing upstream petroleum activities, including exploration, appraisal, development and production operations, while ensuring that projects are implemented in accordance with national laws, contracts and policy objectives.
The authority says its long-term goal is to ensure that Tanzania's petroleum resources contribute meaningfully to economic transformation, energy security and sustainable development
