DistantNews
Support us
🇹🇿 Tanzania /Energy & Infrastructure

Natural gas research in Kishapu opens opportunities for residents

From Mwananchi · () Swahili

Translated from Swahili and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Tanzania’s Petroleum Development Corporation is conducting research into possible natural gas deposits in the Eyasi-Wembere Basin in Kishapu District, Shinyanga Region.
  • Shinyanga officials urged residents to cooperate with the survey and develop projects that could use natural gas if the resource is confirmed.
  • TPDC said the East African Crude Oil Pipeline project is 87.8% complete and expects Uganda’s first oil to reach Tanga in January 2027.

The possibility of natural gas in Tanzania’s Eyasi-Wembere Basin has prompted officials in Shinyanga to urge residents of Kishapu to prepare projects that could benefit from the resource.

The Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation is carrying out research in the basin as part of wider efforts to strengthen energy security, expand natural gas use and support industrial and commercial activity. Shinyanga Acting Regional Administrative Secretary David Lyamongi called on residents to cooperate with the work and identify projects that could use gas if the survey confirms its presence.

Residents of Shinyanga, especially those in Kishapu, should seize the opportunity by designing projects that will benefit from natural gas after the research is completed.

· David LyamongiThe Shinyanga acting regional administrative secretary urged residents to plan for possible gas use.

Lyamongi made the remarks on September 5, 2026, at a seminar on oil and gas organized by TPDC officials for journalists in Shinyanga. He said the research was taking place in Kishapu and encouraged residents to seize opportunities linked to possible future gas use.

We have been building dispensaries, schools, police stations and roads, as well as protecting the environment, including the air.

· Marie MsellemuThe TPDC communications official described community projects linked to corporate social responsibility.

TPDC communications and public relations head Marie Msellemu said the corporation returns benefits to communities in areas where gas is found through corporate social responsibility projects. She cited dispensaries, schools, police stations, roads and environmental protection efforts as examples of community work that had strengthened relations with residents.

Jumanne Said, acting coordinator of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline project, said the TPDC project had reached 87.8% completion and was currently in testing. He said the first oil from Uganda was expected to reach Chongoleani in Tanga Port in January 2027. The project affected 10,223 Tanzanians, and 99.5% had received compensation, while disputes remained in some areas.

The first drop of oil from Uganda is expected to reach Chongoleani at the Port of Tanga in January 2027.

· Jumanne SaidThe acting EACOP project coordinator gave the expected schedule for the pipeline’s first oil delivery.
About this summary

Originally published by Mwananchi in Swahili. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog