Tanzania is witnessing a growing interest in compressed natural gas (CNG) as a cleaner and more affordable alternative to petrol and diesel.
However, the transition is hampered by a limited number of fueling stations, slowing its widespread adoption.
Similar to Nigeria and other African nations, Tanzania is gradually shifting toward CNG to reduce reliance on traditional fossil fuels. While its environmental benefits are notable, the significant cost savings are the primary motivation for the roughly 5,000 Tanzanian motorists—predominantly commercial drivers—who have embraced CNG so far.
Although this figure represents a small fraction of the country’s vehicles, it highlights a trend that the government hopes will lead to near-universal adoption of CNG by mid-century. Tanzania’s substantial offshore gas reserves make the transition economically feasible, with CNG costing less than half the price of petrol.
For drivers like Samuel Amos Irube, a taxi owner in Dar es Salaam, the financial incentives outweighed the initial expense of converting his three-wheeled bajaji to run on CNG. He spent approximately 1.5 million Tanzanian shillings ($620; £495) on the conversion. Despite saving about 60% on fuel costs, he faces daily challenges refueling, often spending more time in line than on the road earning money.
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Dar es Salaam, the country’s largest city, has just four CNG stations, leading to lengthy waits. Samuel reports waiting at least three hours each time he refuels, though he finds the savings worth the inconvenience.
At the Ubungo CNG station, the scene reflects the growing demand. Vehicles queue in orderly lines, but drivers’ frustration is evident. Medadi Kichungo Ngoma, a pick-up truck owner, recalls a time when refueling was hassle-free. “There were days when the attendant had to be called to serve us,” he laments, noting that the infrastructure has not kept pace with rising demand.
Similar complaints are voiced at the city’s largest CNG station near the airport, where Sadiki Christian Mkumbuka says he often waits for hours to refuel his bajaji. “The queues are too long,” he observes, adding that there should be as many CNG stations as there are for petrol.
Despite the challenges, the cost-effectiveness of CNG continues to attract motorists. Juma, another driver, shares that filling his 11kg gas tank costs about 15,000 Tanzanian shillings ($6; £5) and allows him to travel up to 180km. By comparison, petrol would cost more than twice as much for the same distance.
The growing interest in CNG underscores its potential to revolutionize Tanzania’s fuel landscape, but expanding infrastructure will be critical to sustaining the momentum.
