The Ministry of Energy and the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) in Tanzania have held talks to boost public awareness of ongoing oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production projects. The discussions, which took place on October 13, 2026, at PURA's offices in Dar es Salaam, were attended by various officials. The meeting aimed to address the limited understanding of these projects among the general public.
According to Ms Nteghenjwa Hosseah, Head of the Government Communications Unit at the Ministry of Energy, the government is implementing several projects, including oil and natural gas exploration and development initiatives. However, she noted that public awareness of these projects remains inadequate. Ms Hosseah cited examples of ongoing projects, such as the acquisition of 3D seismic data in the Lindi-Mtwara Block and preparations for drilling natural gas wells in the Ruvuma Block.
Ms Hosseah emphasized that the Ministry of Energy and its institutions have a responsibility to ensure the public receives timely information about these projects in simple and accessible language. This would help improve public understanding of the projects and their benefits. She acknowledged that the projects involve highly technical issues, but stressed the need for effective communication.
Mr Charles Nyangi, Head of Local Content and Stakeholder Engagement at PURA, said the authority would continue to strengthen public communication about ongoing projects. PURA has been facilitating training for journalists and providing opportunities for them to visit sites where upstream petroleum projects are being implemented across the country.
The training and site visits aim to enhance the understanding of journalists, who play a crucial role in informing the public about these projects. Mr Nyangi added that PURA uses various media platforms to disseminate information to the public. This multi-faceted approach seeks to improve public awareness and understanding of oil and gas projects in Tanzania.
The Ministry of Energy and PURA's efforts to enhance public awareness of oil and gas projects are expected to promote transparency and accountability in the sector. By providing the public with accurate and timely information, the government aims to build trust and ensure that Tanzanians benefit from the country's natural resources.
The collaboration between the Ministry of Energy and PURA reflects the government's commitment to improving public engagement with oil and gas projects. The two institutions will continue to work together to develop effective communication strategies and provide the public with the information they need to understand these complex projects.
Key points
- The Ministry of Energy and PURA are working together to improve public awareness of oil and gas projects in Tanzania.
- The government aims to provide the public with timely and accessible information about ongoing projects.
- The efforts seek to promote transparency, accountability, and public understanding of the country's natural resources.
