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CNG mother station in Dar set to become operational this month
What you need to know:
- Construction of the Sam Nujoma Road station began in August last year as part of TPDC’s strategy to expand the CNG distribution network and encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly fuel alternatives, particularly in the transport sector
Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) has announced that the highly anticipated compressed natural gas (CNG) mother station on Sam Nujoma Road is set to become operational by 20 April.
The facility, described as a milestone in the country’s transition towards cleaner energy, is now 97.5 percent complete.
According to TPDC, the remaining work includes securing insurance and completing staff training, which is being handled by the corporation’s contractors and its subsidiary, Gasco.
“The mother station is 97.5 percent complete, but we are finalising a few critical tasks. By 20 April, we expect operations to begin,” said TPDC’s director of downstream operations, Mr Emmanuel Gilbert, during an interview with The Citizen on April 8, 2025.
He noted that two additional stations—Taqa Dalbit, located opposite the mother station, and Rafiki CNG along Mandela Road—commenced service last week, easing congestion at other refuelling points.
“We at TPDC are working diligently to ensure the station starts serving customers this month,” he said, adding that installation of gas equipment is currently under way.
Construction of the Sam Nujoma Road station began in August last year as part of TPDC’s strategy to expand the CNG distribution network and encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly fuel alternatives, particularly in the transport sector.
At present, nine CNG stations are operational in Dar es Salaam and Mtwara, with the number expected to rise.
TPDC revealed that the new mother station will be supplemented by satellite facilities at Muhimbili National Hospital and Kairuki Pharmaceuticals in Kibaha Zegereni, Coast Region.
More than 4,500 vehicles currently use CNG, a number that continues to grow as fuel prices fluctuate and consumers seek cost-effective options.
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Mr Rashid Sule, a bajaj rider in the city, told The Citizen that CNG is proving instrumental in reducing transportation costs for commercial drivers.
“Using gas instead of petrol helps cut costs significantly. The main challenge has always been accessibility,” he said.
The Sam Nujoma Road mother station is expected to serve between 1,000 and 1,500 vehicles daily. TPDC estimates the project cost at Sh14 billion.
Furthermore, TPDC reports that 40 licences have been issued to private sector players for the development of gas infrastructure, including mobile filling stations.
Thirteen new CNG stations are projected to be operational by June this year.
In a related development, the chairman of TPDC’s Board of directors, Mr Ombeni Sefue, confirmed plans to boost natural gas production by an additional 80 million cubic feet (cf).
Speaking during a visit to the site in August last year he said it includes initiating production at the Ruvuma Ntorya block’s second quarter project (60 million cf) and increasing output at the Mnazi Bay site by 20 million cf.
“The goal is to build sufficient capacity to meet the growing demand for natural gas and ensure Tanzania becomes energy self-sufficient. This growth will not only serve domestic needs but also provide support to neighbouring countries in East and Southern Africa,” Mr Sefue said.
