Tanzania's CNG Adoption Hindered by Fuel Infrastructure Shortages

Tanzania's push towards compressed natural gas (CNG) as a cleaner alternative fuel faces challenges due to insufficient filling stations, leading to long wait times for motorists eager to embrace this economical option.

Tanzania is witnessing a gradual shift towards compressed natural gas (CNG) as an alternative vehicle fuel, following in the footsteps of Nigeria and several other African nations. This natural gas solution is not only cleaner and more environmentally friendly compared to conventional petrol and diesel, but it also offers significant cost savings. As of now, approximately 5,000 drivers in Tanzania, primarily commercial operators, have started using CNG. While this number may seem small against the backdrop of the nation's total vehicle count, these early users are crucial for paving the way for widespread acceptance of CNG. The government is aiming for nearly universal adoption by the middle of the century.

Tanzania boasts significant gas reserves located offshore, which contributes to lower fuel prices for those using CNG—often costing less than half of what petrol does. One such early adopter, taxi operator Samuel Amos Irube, invested around 1.5 million Tanzanian shillings (approximately $620) to modify his three-wheeled "bajaji" vehicle to utilize CNG. Yet, he now finds himself waiting several hours twice a day at a filling station in Dar es Salaam, the largest city, due to the scarcity of refueling options. Currently, only four CNG filling stations are operational in the city.

Long queues of anxious drivers characterize the CNG filling experience. Medadi Kichungo Ngoma, who has also converted to CNG, recalls a time when refueling did not involve extended waits. He expressed frustration regarding the lack of infrastructural growth to meet the rising demand. Similarly, Sadiki Christian Mkumbuka, another CNG user, shared his three-hour wait experience and echoed the need for an increase in filling stations to reach parity with petrol stations.

The gradual rise of CNG fuel adoption in Tanzania commenced over a decade ago, gaining traction only in the last five years. Aristides Kato, project manager at Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), acknowledged that the recent surge in CNG use caught authorities off guard in terms of preparedness. The environmentally favorable properties of CNG make it an attractive option for vehicle owners, but challenges remain due to the initial investment needed for conversions and the lower mileage that CNG vehicles can achieve when compared to their petrol counterparts.

Market analysts are optimistic, seeing the growing numbers of CNG users as an encouraging trend. Amr Aboushady, the country manager of Taqa Arabia—an Egyptian firm operating CNG stations—indicated that plans are underway to increase the number of fueling locations while aiming to emulate Egypt's success in this sector.

Other African nations that have also recognized the viability of CNG include South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, and Ethiopia. In Tanzania, authorities are focused on enhancing the refueling infrastructure. A central "mother station" is under construction in Dar es Salaam to distribute CNG to smaller stations across the country. Additionally, TPDC is procuring mobile CNG units to lessen wait times in regions such as Dodoma and Morogoro.

While improvements are on the horizon, the lack of filling stations continues to challenge CNG vehicle owners in Tanzania. The nation's transitional phase into cleaner fuel is emblematic of a wider continent-wide effort to adopt sustainable energy practices, but for now, residents are left grappling with the reality of long waits for their fill of cleaner energy.