TANZANIA: Maurel & Prom Discovers 223 BCF OF Natural Gas in the Mnazi Bay Block
Tanzania has announced the discovery of an estimated 223 billion cubic feet of natural gas in the Mnazi Bay Block, located in the southern Mtwara Region, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen energy security, expand domestic production and accelerate industrial development.
The discovery, announced on 27 October 2026 by Tanzania’s Minister for Energy, Dr. Juma Zuberi Homera, follows exploration activities undertaken by the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) in partnership with French energy company Maurel & Prom (M&P).
The newly discovered gas was identified through the Kasa-1X ST2 exploration well, which is projected to produce approximately 30 million cubic feet of natural gas daily for at least 10 years, subject to successful development and production.
Additionally, two other wells, MB-5 and MS-2, are expected to strengthen Tanzania’s natural gas supply, with reported production increases exceeding 65 million cubic feet per day.
Dr. Homera highlighted the growing demand for reliable and affordable energy as Tanzania continues to experience expansion in manufacturing, infrastructure development and other economic activities.
He noted that the country’s industrialisation ambitions require sustained investment in energy resources to ensure sufficient electricity generation and dependable energy supplies for industries, businesses and households.
The discovery is expected to create new investment opportunities in Tanzania’s oil and gas industry while strengthening the role of natural gas in electricity generation, manufacturing and broader economic development.
Beyond improving energy availability, increased natural gas production could help reduce energy costs, support industrial competitiveness and encourage greater private-sector participation in energy-related investments.
The development also underscores the importance of collaboration between government institutions and international investors in advancing exploration, technology transfer and sustainable resource management.
Through continued partnerships with investors, TPDC remains committed to exploring, developing and managing Tanzania’s petroleum and natural gas resources to maximise their contribution to national economic growth.
The latest discovery positions Tanzania to further strengthen its energy infrastructure, attract investment, create employment opportunities and support long-term industrial transformation.
