CNG expansion: TPDC finalising deal for six mobile gas stations

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) is finalising a contract with an investor to import six mobile compressed natural gas (CNG) stations.

The move aims to expand access to natural gas services for vehicles in areas not yet served by the pipeline network.

Tanzania boasts over 57 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, discovered both onshore and offshore.

Key fields include Songo Songo and Mnazi Bay, with the resource used in electricity generation, industry, and transport.

Through TPDC, the government is accelerating the nationwide rollout of gas infrastructure—particularly for the transport sector—via projects involving compressed and liquefied natural gas.

The initiative aims to reduce fuel imports and promote clean energy adoption.

Speaking on Saturday, July 12, 2025, during a visit to the main CNG filling station along Sam Nujoma Road in Dar es Salaam, TPDC acting director for petroleum and gas business, Mr Gilibert Emmanuel, said the government has allocated Sh8 billion for the procurement of the mobile stations.

“We are in the final stages of signing a contract with the selected supplier, and within six months, the equipment will arrive. The mobile filling stations will be deployed in Dar es Salaam (three stations), Morogoro (one), and Dodoma (two),” he said.

Mr Emmanuel noted that the mobile units will allow motorists to refuel between regions, particularly along the Dar es Salaam–Dodoma corridor, helping to fill the service gap in areas lacking permanent infrastructure.

He said the number of vehicles running on CNG is steadily rising, with more than 5,000 currently in operation.

The new stations are expected to support even more conversions, potentially adding over 1,000 vehicles shortly.

Commenting on the Sam Nujoma Road station, Mr Emmanuel said the facility now serves more than 1,000 vehicles and motorcycles daily.

The project is nearing completion, and the contractor is expected to hand over the facility to the government soon.

Mr Emmanuel also spoke about ongoing plans to adopt liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology to supply regions that the national pipeline network does not yet reach.

“A contractor is currently conducting a feasibility study, after which a contract will be signed to operationalise LNG transport services in Tanzania,” he said.

These initiatives are part of the government’s broader strategy to harness natural gas as a cleaner, more affordable, and sustainable energy source for national development.