The Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) is intensifying regulation and oversight of Tanzania’s natural gas sector, prioritizing household connections as part of the National Clean Cooking Strategy 2024/34.

Data from the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) shows strong progress. In Dar es Salaam, 880 households are now connected to piped gas, while Lindi has 677 households (470 added in FY2024/25). Mtwara counts 425 homes, and in Mkuranga District, pipelines are under construction to serve 530 households. Additionally, seven hotels in Dar es Salaam are now using natural gas, underscoring its role beyond domestic kitchens.

Ewura’s regulatory framework emphasizes safety, requiring compliance on gas quality, pipeline integrity, pressure systems, and leak detection. With over 815 km of pipelines nationwide, Tanzania’s growing network is delivering cleaner, safer cooking alternatives to communities long dependent on biomass.

Looking ahead, private investors are preparing mini-LNG projects to extend supply to regions without pipelines, including Tanga, Mwanza, Mbeya, Iringa, Shinyanga, Morogoro, Dodoma, and Arusha. Ewura says these projects, backed by government support, will significantly expand access and reduce reliance on charcoal and firewood.