In brief
Despite having significant natural gas reserves, the limited infrastructure is frustrating early adopters of CNG, particularly with long wait times at current stations.
Amid rising global concerns about climate change, Tanzania is embracing compressed natural gas (CNG) as a cleaner alternative to traditional petrol and diesel fuels. The government is advocating for increased adoption of CNG, seeing it as a means to not only reduce pollution but also capitalize on the country's substantial underwater gas reserves. However, the momentum of this transition is being stymied by a critical shortage of CNG filling stations. Currently, just a few stations exist in Dar es Salaam, the country's largest city, where an increasing number of motorists are turning to CNG. The operational inefficiencies and long queues at these few hubs are frustrating drivers, particularly commercial ones, who are eager to make the switch for its cost benefits—CNG can be up to 50% cheaper than petrol.Taxi operator Samuel Amos Irube, who converted his vehicle to CNG at a cost of approximately 1.5 million Tanzanian shillings ($620), reports spending more time waiting to refuel than actually working, as he often faces three-hour lines at the limited stations. The scarcity not only affects current users but also poses a barrier to new adopters who might hesitate to switch amid logistical challenges.Aristides Kato, project manager for the CNG initiative at the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), admits that the surge in demand for natural gas vehicles caught planners off guard, leading to insufficient infrastructure development. Plans are in place to build a central "mother station" and mobile CNG units to alleviate some of these pressures, aiming for improved access in the coming years.Companies like Taqa Arabia are also stepping up efforts, planning to expand the network of CNG stations based on successful experiences in Egypt, where the CNG market has flourished. With other African nations like South Africa and Kenya already integrating CNG, Tanzania's authorities are eager to enhance infrastructure and attract private investment to broaden access to this cleaner alternative.While the measures being implemented signal a positive trajectory, for now, the lack of convenient filling stations continues to challenge Tanzania's CNG pioneers. As they await necessary developments, the hope remains that the cleaner and cheaper alternative will soon be more accessible to all motorists in the region.
