The Tanzanian government is taking steps to prepare local companies and young professionals to compete for jobs and business opportunities in the oil and gas industry. This move comes as the country expands natural gas exploration, following a recent discovery of 223 billion cubic feet of gas in the Mnazi Bay Block. The government aims to build domestic capacity before exploration projects advance.
Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi issued a directive on October 28, 2026, during the signing of four exploration licences covering Mnazi Bay North, West Songo Songo, Lindi-Mtwara and Eyasi-Wembere. The licences mark the first time the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) has received its own exploration licences, giving the national oil company a more direct role in searching for oil and natural gas.
Preparing Tanzanian companies and specialists early will be essential to increasing local participation as exploration advances. Ndejembi directed the ministry of Energy to develop a strategic plan through the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) to prepare young Tanzanians and local companies to compete for employment, contracts and supply opportunities.
The government is also taking measures to prevent foreign-owned businesses from registering in Tanzania and presenting themselves as local companies to access opportunities reserved for Tanzanians. Minister for Energy Dr Juma Homera emphasized that local participation in the oil and gas sector is both a legal and policy requirement, with the government seeking to widen access to employment, training and opportunities for domestic companies.
PURA director-general Dr Charles Sangweni said the new licences offered an opportunity to turn commitments on local content into greater participation by Tanzanians. He added that PURA would continue working with the Energy Ministry, TPDC and other stakeholders to ensure activities complied with the law, regulations and licence conditions.
TPDC managing director Mussa Makame said the corporation would consider local participation and the involvement of surrounding communities as it carried out exploration activities. He emphasized that the success of oil and gas exploration should not be measured by discoveries alone, but by the ability to turn these resources into real economic opportunities that generate revenue, jobs, reliable energy and development for the people.
Existing operations have created business opportunities, with Tanzanian firms securing contracts worth more than Sh20 billion. The government aims to see citizens benefit from these resources through employment opportunities, training and the capacity-building of experts, as well as Tanzanian companies participating appropriately.
Key points
- The Tanzanian government is preparing local companies and young professionals for jobs and business opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
- The government has issued four exploration licences to the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) to increase local participation in the sector.
- Local participation in the oil and gas sector is a legal and policy requirement, with the government seeking to widen access to employment, training and opportunities for domestic companies.
