Dar es Salaam. The government has allocated Sh22.06 billion in the 2026/27 financial year to construct mobile compressed natural gas (CNG) stations as part of efforts to expand access to cleaner transport fuel beyond areas served by the country’s natural gas pipeline network.
The investment will be implemented through the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC).
Speaking during the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair, TPDC engineer Gleam Ulungi said the project is intended to increase the availability of CNG in regions located far from existing gas infrastructure.
He said the mobile stations will receive compressed natural gas transported by specially designed CNG trucks from mother stations in Dar es Salaam before distributing it to consumers in designated areas.
According to Mr Ulungi, TPDC plans to install five mobile CNG stations during the implementation phase.
Two stations will be established in Dar es Salaam, one in Morogoro Region and two in Dodoma Region.
He added that the initiative is expected to improve access to natural gas for motorists and other users in regions that are not connected to the national gas pipeline.
Mr Ulungi also said the government, through TPDC, will continue identifying suitable sites for further expansion of the programme.
Environmental and social impact assessments are set to begin in Tanga Region, Kilimanjaro Region and Arusha Region.
Two mobile CNG stations are planned for each of the three regions once the assessments are completed.
The project forms part of the government’s wider strategy to promote greater use of domestically produced natural gas.
It also seeks to lower transport fuel costs, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and encourage the transition to cleaner energy.
Tanzania has been expanding the use of CNG in recent years by increasing refuelling infrastructure and encouraging the conversion of vehicles from petrol and diesel to natural gas.
The latest investment is expected to extend those benefits to more parts of the country by providing a flexible supply system for areas beyond the reach of fixed gas pipelines.
