The Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system has significantly improved efficiency in monitoring, controlling and collecting real-time data on petroleum products entering the country, strengthening transparency and accuracy in fuel management from port discharge points to storage facilities.
The system, which is being utilized by the Petroleum Bulk Procurement Agency (PBPA), has enhanced oversight of fuel supply operations, helping to reduce losses while improving the reliability of data used for planning and decision-making in the energy sector.
Speaking during an interview with Uhuru newspaper at the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), popularly known as Sabasaba, held at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere grounds, PBPA Logistics Officer for Petroleum, Hilda Kowero, said SCADA has transformed the way fuel operations are managed by enabling real-time monitoring of all key processes.
She said the technology provides accurate and timely information on fuel movement from entry points into the country, allowing authorities to track the entire supply chain with greater precision and strengthen accountability.
“In the past, monitoring fuel flow relied on manual processes, but SCADA now gives us real-time visibility of what is happening at every stage. This has greatly improved efficiency and control,” she said.
Kowero further explained that in addition to coordinating fuel importation through the Bulk Procurement System (BPS), PBPA is mandated to ensure continuous availability of petroleum products and maintain strategic reserves to safeguard national energy security.
She noted that the integration of SCADA has reduced discrepancies that previously occurred between discharge points and storage depots by enabling continuous monitoring of volumes, flow rates and transfer operations.
The system has also improved coordination among stakeholders in the petroleum supply chain, including importers, terminal operators and regulators, leading to better planning and distribution of fuel across the country.
According to PBPA, the use of modern digital systems such as SCADA continues to support government efforts to enhance transparency, stabilize fuel supply and ensure fair pricing in the market.
Industry observers say the adoption of advanced monitoring technologies is a major step towards modernizing Tanzania’s petroleum infrastructure and aligning it with international standards.
With demand for fuel rising in line with economic growth, PBPA emphasized that SCADA will remain a critical tool in ensuring efficiency, reducing losses and strengthening confidence in the country’s fuel supply system from entry points to final storage.
