Dodoma. The ruling party, CCM, has directed the government to accelerate the transition from petroleum to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
Speaking here on April 7, 2026, National Ideology and Publicity Secretary, Kenani Kihongosi, outlined an ambitious energy security roadmap.
He said the party demands the immediate construction of CNG charging stations across all major population centres.
“CCM has instructed that all government vehicles and public transport systems undergo mandatory conversion to gas systems,” he noted.
This policy seeks to shield the domestic economy from the escalating costs of imported fuel.
The directive comes as Tanzania grapples with a sharp rise in pump prices announced by the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) last week.
These local price hikes are a direct consequence of the deepening global energy crisis.
Ongoing hostilities involving Israel, the United States, and Iran have severely disrupted supply chains in the Middle East.
Global oil markets remain volatile as regional stability continues to deteriorate.
Consequently, the cost of importing refined petroleum has reached unsustainable levels for many developing economies.
Kihongosi emphasised that reducing oil dependency is now a matter of national economic survival.
The transition to CNG is expected to lower transport fares for citizens while preserving vital foreign exchange reserves.
Beyond gas, the party is advocating for the development of modern public transport infrastructure.
This includes the installation of charging points for electric vehicles and the promotion of export-oriented industries.
By strengthening internal production, the government aims to reduce its reliance on expensive foreign commodities.
To further mitigate price shocks, CCM has proposed the establishment of a Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund.
The party also envisions a Strategic Petroleum Reserve and a dedicated Petroleum Hub to ensure consistent supply.
Kihongosi highlighted the critical role of the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) in managing imports.
The state-run agency has been tasked with preventing market sabotage and ensuring that fuel shipments are not diverted.
These measures represent a comprehensive effort to insulate Tanzanian consumers from the unpredictable geopolitical landscape.
