Tanzania has revealed a natural gas discovery in the Mnazi Bay region located in the southern part of the country, marking the nation’s first such find in over ten years. Energy Minister Juma Homera presided over a ceremony at the Kasa-1X ST2 well to commemorate the achievement. The well is operated jointly by the state-owned Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation and Maurel & Prom, a French oil company.
The newly discovered reserves are estimated at 223 billion cubic feet, equivalent to approximately 6.3 billion cubic metres. Government officials characterized the find as a significant development for the country’s energy sector. Production from the well is scheduled to commence early next month, with the primary objective of enhancing domestic gas supplies to support the nation’s growing energy needs.
Tanzania currently maintains existing natural gas reserves totaling 57.54 trillion cubic feet. According to government data from 2024, natural gas provided nearly 80 percent of the country’s electricity generation capacity. Energy officials emphasized that the discovery will contribute to ensuring the availability of dependable, environmentally sound, and cost-effective energy resources as industrial expansion and economic activities drive increased demand across the nation.
Beyond electricity generation, Tanzania has promoted the adoption of compressed natural gas as a transportation fuel in recent years. Multiple natural gas facilities and refueling stations have been established, particularly in Dar es Salaam, the country’s largest city. A number of residents have modified their vehicles to operate on dual-fuel systems, taking advantage of naturally available gas supplies that offer cost savings relative to conventional petrol.
Tanzania’s history of natural gas exploration dates back to 1974 when the initial discovery occurred on Songo Songo Island in the Lindi region. A subsequent discovery followed at Mnazi Bay in the Mtwara region in 1982. Commercial development of these reserves commenced in 2004, subsequently encouraging expanded exploration activities both on land and offshore. The most substantial single discovery to date occurred in 2016, when reserves of 2.7 trillion cubic feet were identified.
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