In brief
Tanzania is witnessing a rising interest in compressed natural gas (CNG) as an alternative to traditional fuels like petrol and diesel. However, the transition is hampered by a shortage of filling stations, leading to long wait times for motorists and limiting the growth of CNG usage. Despite Tanzania's substantial natural gas reserves and governmental support for CNG adoption, infrastructural challenges persist.
Tanzania's transition to compressed natural gas (CNG) as a viable alternative to petrol and diesel is gaining traction but is hindered by a significant bottleneck: the shortage of filling stations. This East African nation, much like its neighbor Nigeria, is gradually embracing CNG, touted as a cleaner and more environmentally friendly fuel option. The financial incentive is hard to ignore; with CNG prices often less than half those of regular petrol, it has drawn the interest of around 5,000 motorists, particularly among the commercial driving community.Yet, this number represents only a fraction of the total vehicles on Tanzanian roads. The government is aiming for a nearly complete shift to natural gas-powered vehicles by the mid-21st century. With extensive reserves of gas lying below its coastal waters, the potential is immense, but the necessary infrastructure remains lacking. Taxi operator Samuel Amos Irube invested approximately 1.5 million Tanzanian shillings (around $620) to convert his three-wheeled "bajaji" into a CNG vehicle. Yet, the experience has been marred by logistical challenges. Twice a day, Irube finds himself waiting in long lines at the few available stations in Dar es Salaam, sometimes spending more time idling at the pump than he does earning.At the Ubungo CNG station, frustrated motorists like Medadi Kichungo Ngoma recall easier days of refueling with CNG. Five years ago, the lines were short, and service was prompt. Ngoma lamented the failure of infrastructure to keep pace with the fuel's growing popularity.Concerns about accessibility echo at all major CNG filling stations, with motorists reporting waits of several hours. Sadiki Christian Mkumbuka, who has faced long delays with his "bajaji," advocates for more CNG stations to meet rising demand.Affordability remains a compelling reasoning factor for converting to CNG; motorists like Juma reveal that filling a typical gas tank costs a mere 15,000 shillings ($6), allowing for a journey of about 180 km. This is significantly cheaper than petrol for the equivalent distance.The initiative encouraging CNG adoption in Tanzania stemmed from a decade of planning but has only picked up momentum since 2018. The Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) acknowledges underestimating the rapid surge in demand for CNG vehicles. According to Aristides Kato, the project manager for CNG at TPDC, the speed of uptake has outstripped the establishment of necessary refill infrastructure.Although CNG highlights a cleaner-burning fossil fuel option than traditional fuels, the costs associated with vehicle conversion and lesser mileage compared to petrol deter some motorists. Conversely, Amr Aboushady from Taqa Arabia views the burgeoning demand positively and is committed to building additional stations, inspired by Egypt's success with CNG.African nations like South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, and Ethiopia have also recognized CNG's potential, further highlighting its viability across the continent. To bolster CNG availability, Tanzania is expediting infrastructure development, with TPDC currently constructing a central CNG "mother station" in Dar es Salaam and acquiring mobile CNG units for further reach.In conclusion, while Tanzania is at the cusp of a significant energy transformation toward CNG, inadequate fueling infrastructure poses substantial challenges that must be addressed for the transition to become truly viable and sustainable.
