In a world rightly obsessed with climate change, governments and the media understandably publicize plans for increased use of alternative fuels, renewable energy, and electric integration.
For example, Tanzania aims for the majority of vehicles to be CNG-fueled by 2050. Furthermore, the country has the largest number of electric vehicles on the road compared to all other East African countries. Over 5,000 electric vehicles—mostly motorcycles and three-wheelers—are currently in operation.
Alternative fuels are important, as they complement petroleum in supporting mobility in the country. But in the context of Tanzania’s strategic location, regional needs, and energy access challenges, petroleum still plays a fundamental role in fueling the country’s growing economy.
Petroleum and the Mobility Ecosystem.
At this point, it is worth addressing the concern of those who argue that, due to environmental issues, Tanzania should not develop its petroleum resources to secure future prosperity.
At Tanzania Petroleum, we recognize the world’s need to transition to greener sources of energy. But petroleum remains crucial to regional mobility because our continent still struggles with energy access.
For example, there are over 150,000 petrol stations in the United States, while Tanzania has only 2,405 licensed petrol stations nationwide. This highlights the immense gap in infrastructure and access. Such challenges are no doubt part of the reason the recent East Africa Petroleum Conference was held under the theme: “Unlocking Investment in Future Energy: The Role of Petroleum Resources in the Energy Mix for Sustainable Development in East Africa.”
Balancing Demand and Transition.
The issue in Tanzania is not about replacing petroleum with alternative energy. The bigger challenge is ensuring energy access. This can be achieved by developing our petroleum resources responsibly, while at the same time joining the global journey toward greener energy by investing in LPG, CNG, and electric vehicle infrastructure.
Economic Opportunities.
Petroleum will still be needed in the coming decades. However, for stakeholders to participate effectively in the transition to greener energy, petrol station operators, investors, and organizations must adapt to the changes brought about by the increasing number of electric and CNG vehicles, as sustainable mobility gains traction worldwide.
