Investors and petroleum stakeholders have been nervous about electric vehicles cutting into the demand for petroleum-based fuels. But Tanzania is leveraging its 57.54 trillion cubic feet of natural gas to expand cleaner and more affordable mobility across the country.
The government aims for the majority of vehicles to be CNG-fueled by 2050. For reference, the total number of passenger cars (all fuel types) is currently around 650,000.
Considering the population and economic growth expected in Tanzania, a 15% increase in the number of cars by 2050 is probably a very conservative estimate, but we will base our projections on that assumption. That would equate to approximately 747,500 vehicles. Assuming at least 70% are CNG-fueled, this would mean around 523,250 CNG vehicles by 2050.
Also Read: CNG a New Opportunities for Petrol Stations in Tanzania
In addition, adoption of CNG for other vehicles is already underway. The Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (DART) system currently has 210 CNG buses, with a total of 755 planned. Tanzania is also rapidly extending its natural gas distribution network, both through physical pipelines and “virtual pipelines,” with new CNG stations forming the backbone of the latter.
The Tanzanian Natural Gas Utilisation Master Plan outlines expansion of the natural gas pipeline network in three 5-year phases, as detailed in the 2024 report:
- Phase 1: from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, from Dar es Salaam to Arusha, and from Mtwara to Njombe.
- Phase 2: from Morogoro to Iringa and Mbeya.
- Phase 3: from Mbeya to Sumbawanga, Tabora to Kigoma, Mwanza to Kagera, and Mwanza to Mara.
Currently, there are 11 CNG filling stations across Dar es Salaam, with 5 more planned by the end of 2025, bringing the total to 18. VAT exemptions for equipment and machinery used in the CNG value chain, such as compressors, combined with government–investor consultation, are expected to accelerate the CNG rollout.
While electric vehicles will play a role in Tanzania’s sustainable transportation future, they require significant grid upgrades, and solar charging stations remain dependent on weather conditions. By contrast, compressed natural gas (CNG) is a resource Tanzania has in great abundance. It is comparatively clean, reliable, and cost-effective, making it a crucial driver of mobility for years to come.
