Tanzania unveils second-largest CNG station in Africa to drive clean energy shift

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has launched a state-of-the-art Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mother station—Africa’s second-largest—marking a significant leap in the country’s transition to clean, sustainable transport.

Located along the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (UDART) corridor, the facility is expected to transform urban mobility and reduce dependency on traditional fuels.

With a daily production capacity of 4.2 million cubic metres of gas, the Sh18.9 billion investment can refuel up to 1,200 vehicles a day, servicing eight vehicles at once.

“This facility offers a lasting solution to long queues at filling stations,” said Deputy Minister for Energy Judith Kapinga during the launch ceremony. She stressed the government’s commitment to cleaner energy and noted that the station will operate on a cashless payment model to enhance efficiency and transparency.

Kapinga also highlighted the cost benefits of CNG. “A journey that would normally cost Sh100,000 per week by petrol can now cost as little as Sh27,000 using gas. It's not just clean—it's affordable,” she said.

The launch also saw the unveiling of Tanzania’s first natural gas-powered public bus, a major step in UDART’s shift from diesel to cleaner alternatives.

UDART Director Waziri Kindamba said the new bus would begin operating on the Morocco–Kivukoni route starting Monday, offering free rides for one week to UDART cardholders as part of its trial phase.

The bus, with a capacity of 155 passengers, features air conditioning and USB charging ports, providing commuters with greater comfort and convenience.

“Passengers will no longer suffer through Dar’s heat—and if you forget to charge your phone at home, you can do it on the bus,” Kindamba added.

While acknowledging that the new CNG fleet will not solve all of Dar es Salaam’s public transport woes, Kindamba said it would significantly reduce current challenges.

A 2017/18 study showed that Phase One of the Dar Rapid Transit system requires 263 to 305 buses to run optimally. Currently, only 80 to 100 buses are operational.

“The prototype is the first of 100 gas-powered buses we expect to receive. We faced some legal delays, but we’re now back on track. In just over two months, more buses will arrive to reduce congestion,” he added.

A National push for clean energy

The station, developed by the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), is part of a broader government strategy to increase access to cleaner energy through CNG and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas).

Emmanuel Gilbert, Acting Director of Gas Business at TPDC, confirmed that five mobile CNG stations are being procured for Dodoma, Morogoro, and Dar es Salaam, while 60 private firms have been approved to construct more stations—eight are operational and more are underway.

By 2026, at least seven additional CNG stations are expected to be completed across the country.

The new facility also houses a vehicle conversion garage, which will be handed over to the University of Dar es Salaam to support training and innovation in natural gas technologies.

The CNG mother station will not only serve public and private vehicles but will also supply gas to hospitals, pharmaceutical plants, and other industrial users, broadening the benefits of clean energy adoption.

TPDC Board Chairperson, Ambassador Ombeni Sefue, underscored the human impact of the project.

“We’ve watched Tanzanians spend hours in fuel queues. With this station, such hardship will become history,” he said.

As Tanzania continues to invest in domestic natural gas infrastructure, the launch reflects a growing commitment to sustainable energy, carbon emissions reduction, and modernising urban mobility.

With support from stakeholders and private operators, the country aims to position itself as a regional leader in clean energy—embracing CNG as a critical pillar of modern transport and energy systems.