Tanzania has discovered an estimated 223 billion cubic feet of natural gas at the Mnazi Bay area in the south of the country, marking its first major gas discovery in more than a decade.
The discovery was announced by the country’s Energy Minister, Juma Homera, during a ceremony at the Kasa-1X ST2 well, jointly owned by the state-run Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation and French energy company Maurel & Prom.
Homera described the find as a significant step towards strengthening Tanzania’s energy sector, adding that the new well was expected to begin production in early November 2026.
He said the gas would help meet growing domestic energy demand, particularly from industries and other economic activities, while supporting access to more affordable and reliable energy.
The discovery, estimated at 6.3 billion cubic metres, is expected to supply gas for electricity generation, industrial operations and vehicles.
Natural gas already plays a major role in Tanzania’s electricity sector, accounting for nearly 80 per cent of power generation sources in 2024, according to government statistics.
The country has also been promoting compressed natural gas (CNG) as an alternative vehicle fuel. Some motorists have converted their vehicles to operate on both petrol and natural gas, which is generally cheaper locally. However, gas infrastructure and filling stations remain concentrated largely in Dar es Salaam, the country’s largest city.
Tanzania’s existing natural gas reserves are estimated at 57.54 trillion cubic feet, with the country’s exploration history dating back to 1974, when gas was first discovered on Songo Songo Island in the Lindi region.
A second discovery followed at Mnazi Bay in the neighbouring Mtwara region in 1982. Commercial production from the country’s gas discoveries began in 2004, paving the way for further exploration both onshore and offshore.
The largest single discovery cited in the country’s exploration history was made in 2016, when an estimated 2.7 trillion cubic feet of natural gas was found.
