Government and private sector stakeholders have called for increased investment in Compressed Natural Gas infrastructure, affordable financing and public awareness campaigns to accelerate the adoption of natural gas-powered vehicles in Tanzania. The calls were made during a panel discussion organised by Scania Tanzania at the Swedish Embassy in Dar es Salaam on October 30, 2026, which brought together energy experts, transport operators, investors and officials to discuss opportunities and challenges in expanding CNG use.
Engineer Shukurani Rugaimukamo from the Ministry of Energy said Tanzania had made progress in developing natural gas infrastructure and that existing and planned pipeline networks, including a proposed connection from Chalinze towards Uganda, presented opportunities for expanding gas accessibility. He said the country needed to make better use of existing infrastructure while encouraging further investment to extend gas distribution networks and establish more filling stations. "We have infrastructure that provides an opportunity to distribute natural gas to different areas. What is important now is to build on these investments and strengthen collaboration with the private sector to expand its use," he said.
Stakeholders identified several barriers to wider CNG adoption, including limited availability of refuelling facilities, high initial investment costs and inadequate public awareness. They noted that expanding CNG infrastructure would be critical in addressing the shortage of filling stations, which remains a challenge for transport operators considering switching from diesel-powered vehicles. Benedict Ndunguru, Head of Commercial at Puma Energy, emphasised that access to capital from financial institutions was essential for businesses seeking to establish filling stations and expand services. "We need support from banks and other financial institutions because investors require capital to establish infrastructure and make CNG services more accessible," he said.
Participants highlighted that natural gas-powered vehicles could deliver both environmental and economic benefits, particularly through reduced vehicle emissions and lower fuel expenditure. Civil Engineer Franklin Lubuva stressed that savings transport operators obtain from using natural gas should translate into affordable fares for passengers. "When transport operators reduce their operating costs through the use of CNG, passengers should also benefit from those savings through more affordable fares. The benefits should reach the wider public," he said. The stakeholders also called for increased public awareness to address concerns about natural gas technology, particularly its safety and operational requirements, and urged the strengthening of technical training institutions to develop skilled personnel to handle CNG vehicles.
Tamara Nerima, Marketing Director at Scania Tanzania, emphasised the importance of continued engagement among vehicle manufacturers, government institutions, energy companies and transport operators to address existing challenges. The discussion brought together representatives from various institutions and companies, including Scania Tanzania, Puma Energy, the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit Agency, Mofat Company Limited and Bakhresa Group, among other stakeholders.