Helium project delivers early benefits to Tanzanian villages

The journey began nearly a decade ago when Helium One Global Ltd initiated exploration activities in Tanzania, aiming to unlock one of the world’s most elusive and valuable gases.

Helium, essential in medical equipment, space technology, and electronics, has become increasingly sought after as reserves in major producing countries like the United States, Russia, and Qatar dwindle.

The Rukwa Helium Project, spanning a vast area in the Rukwa Rift Valley, has been under steady development since 2015. Significant technical milestones have been achieved, including seismic surveys, exploratory drilling, and comprehensive lab analyses.

Four wells have been drilled to date, with Itumbula West-1 and Tai-3 showing the most promise. At Itumbula, helium concentrations as high as 7.9 percent have been recorded—exceptionally high by global standards.

Experts from the University of Oxford estimate Tanzania’s helium reserves to exceed 138 billion cubic feet, positioning the country among the world’s leading producers.

 This is a remarkable achievement for a nation that, until recently, had no significant presence in the global helium market.

However, while such figures attract international investment attention, the more grounded aspects of the project are drawing notice within Tanzania itself. Long before a single unit of helium reaches the market, the project is already transforming local lives in meaningful ways.

Songwe communities in villages such as Itumbula, Lwatwe, Masanyinta, Mkonko, and Muungano were the first to engage directly with the project, many voluntarily offering land for exploration activities.

In return, Helium One provided compensation exceeding Sh100 million, distributed according to national laws and overseen by local authorities. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Kamsamba ward councillor and Momba District Council vice chairman, Mr Kyalambwene Kakwale, confirmed that all residents due compensation received it in full.

“There are no complaints from any ward. All farmers and landowners, including those in Msamba and Ivuna, were treated with fairness and transparency,” he said.

The sentiment on the ground reflects this confidence, Mr Suleiman Mwashiuya, a long-time resident of Itumbula, described the community’s evolving perception of the project.

“Initially skeptical, our community now feels a deep sense of gratitude. Having received our compensation, the potential positive impact of this project on our village is becoming increasingly clear,” he said.

He believes the project is historic for the region and expects it will provide lasting benefits to youth, who are already seeing increased opportunities for work and training. Beyond compensation and jobs, the project’s impact is most deeply felt through its robust Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Under the guidance of Site Operations Supervisor Mr Emmanuel Ghachocha, Helium One has gone beyond legal requirements.

Tanzanian mining regulations expect companies to implement CSR activities only after production begins, using a portion of project profits to invest back into local communities.

Helium One, however, decided to begin those investments during the exploration phase, setting a precedent for proactive community engagement.

The results of this approach are evident across several villages in Momba District. In the 2021/22 financial year, Helium One spent over Sh55 million on rehabilitating local schools.

Classrooms in Itumbula, Mpapa, Mkulwe, and Ivuna wards were improved, providing better learning environments and improving attendance rates.

The following year, Sh54 million was invested in completing the Mkoko Dispensary, which had remained unfinished for years due to a lack of funding. Today, the dispensary is fully functional, equipped with toilets, an incinerator, and essential medical equipment.

Thanks to the company’s intervention, the facility now has a resident health officer and serves a population that previously had to walk hours to access basic healthcare.

Healthcare has emerged as a key focus area for Helium One’s social investment. In Mkonko village, where residents used to travel over eight kilometres to the nearest clinic, the company funded the construction of a new dispensary with a contribution of Sh50 million.

The facility now caters to expectant mothers, children, and the elderly, many of whom previously risked their lives during emergencies due to delayed treatment. In addition to construction support, Helium One has provided another Sh20 million worth of medical equipment and drugs, distributed across various health facilities in affected areas.

The company’s commitment has also extended to disaster relief. When torrential rains struck the region in February 2025, damaging crops and displacing households in Ivuna and Itumbula, Helium One provided emergency support valued at nearly Sh13 million.

The assistance included food, temporary shelter materials, and other essentials to help affected families recover and rebuild.

Mr Ghachocha notes that these interventions are part of a broader strategy to integrate the project within the communities it affects.

“Our presence here is integrated with the surrounding society. We don’t want to be seen as visitors or outsiders. This is a partnership,” he said.

He further explained that around 80 percent of the company’s support services are sourced from local firms, including catering providers, fuel suppliers, and construction contractors.

This strategy has not only reduced operational costs but also channeled income into the regional economy, creating a ripple effect of benefits far beyond the immediate project site.

Jobs are a central part of this equation. More than 100 positions have already been created through the project, ranging from technical and operational roles to support and administrative positions.

Local youth have been prioritised for training and employment, with some securing permanent roles within the company. For many, this marks their first formal employment and provides a level of economic stability they previously lacked.

“These are opportunities that benefit not only individuals but also the wider community and nation,” said Mr Ghachocha.

The government is also taking note of the project’s potential. Songwe Regional Mining Officer, Geologist Chone Malembo, praised the company for initiating CSR activities ahead of production and noted the wider benefits for the region.

According to Mr Malembo, the region collected over Sh37 billion in mining revenues during the 2023/24 financial year, with expectations to reach Sh40 billion by the end of the current fiscal year.

“I believe Songwe has a strong chance of becoming Tanzania’s leading helium-producing region, and this project will significantly contribute to the national economy,” he said.

Support has also come from the central government. Officials from the Ministry of Minerals have lauded Helium One for its compliance with regulatory frameworks and early investments in social infrastructure.

Geologist Venosa Ngowi, who participated in a recent inspection visit to the project site, highlighted the national significance of the helium discovery.

“Tanzania is blessed with helium deposits not only in Rukwa but also in Eyasi-Wembere and other regions. This gas is critical to sectors like medicine, space exploration, scientific research, and even national defence. By developing this resource responsibly, we are putting Tanzania on the global map,” she said.

As the project nears its next phase, Tanzania stands on the cusp of a new chapter. In March 2025, Helium One accepted a formal offer for a mining licence covering 480 square kilometres of the Rukwa Basin.

She said, the company is awaiting final regulatory approvals and has already secured government permission to construct a helium gas processing facility in Momba.

Once operational, the plant is expected to generate hundreds of direct and indirect jobs and serve as the foundation for Tanzania’s entry into the global helium market, currently valued at more than $2.7 billion.

“The ongoing investments are setting the stage for the country’s involvement in this lucrative sector, and for Tanzanians in Songwe and beyond, the future looks bright. Not only will this project open doors to economic growth, but it is also laying the groundwork for a more resilient and self-sufficient community,” she said.