Tanzania uncovers 223 billion cubic feet of natural gas in Mnazi Bay

Tanzania’s Energy Minister Juma Homera marked the discovery of a new natural‑gas field in the Mnazi Bay area on Tuesday, unveiling the Kasa‑1X ST2 well that is jointly owned by the state‑run Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation and French firm Maurel & Prom. The find, estimated at 223 billion cubic feet (about 6.3 billion cubic metres), is the country’s first significant gas discovery in more than ten years and is slated to begin production early next month.

The announcement comes as Tanzania seeks to expand a modest oil‑and‑gas sector that has relied on earlier finds from 1974 on Songo Songo Island and a 1982 discovery at Mnazi Bay. The nation now holds roughly 57.5 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, and a 2016 offshore discovery of 2.7 trillion cubic feet boosted optimism about further exploration. Natural gas already fuels nearly 80 percent of Tanzania’s electricity, and the government has promoted compressed natural gas for vehicles, especially in Dar es Salaam.

Minister Homera called the Mnazi Bay well a “major milestone” for the country’s energy future. He said the new supply will help keep power reliable, clean and affordable as industrial activity and other economic demands rise. The 223 billion‑cubic‑foot estimate could add a noticeable boost to domestic gas availability, reducing reliance on imports and supporting the growing fleet of dual‑fuel vehicles that enjoy lower running costs than petrol‑only cars.

Production is expected to start in early May, and the government hopes the well will spur further investment in the sector. If the field delivers as projected, it could accelerate the rollout of more filling stations and strengthen Tanzania’s energy security. Analysts note that while the find supports economic growth, it also raises questions about infrastructure needs and the environmental impact of expanding fossil‑fuel use in a region increasingly attentive to climate concerns.