Tanzania Investment Atlas: Strategic Projects Seeking Capital and Partnership
A sector-by-sector map of Tanzania’s emerging investment pipeline
Prepared for Uchumi360
Tanzania has assembled a portfolio of large-scale investment opportunities spanning energy, infrastructure, renewable power and industrial development. These projects are designed to attract private investors, public-private partnerships and international financing partners while accelerating industrial transformation.
The opportunities are grouped into five primary sectors.
- Energy and petroleum exploration
- Renewable power generation
- Energy infrastructure and industrial supply chains
- Transport infrastructure and logistics
- Emerging energy technologies
ENERGY AND PETROLEUM EXPLORATION
1. Mnazi Bay North Block
The Mnazi Bay North Block is an offshore gas exploration project located in the Ruvuma Basin between the producing Mnazi Bay gas field and nearby discoveries in Block-1. The block covers roughly 504 square kilometers and is supported by existing infrastructure including the Madimba gas processing plant and the Mtwara–Dar es Salaam natural gas pipeline. Seismic interpretation suggests prospective gas resources of about 0.968 trillion cubic feet, making the block a major opportunity for upstream investment and gas production expansion.
2. Lindi–Mtwara Gas Exploration Block
Located within the highly prospective Ruvuma Basin, this block lies near the Ntorya and Mnazi Bay gas fields where significant discoveries have already been made. Geological evidence such as gas seepages and seismic leads indicates strong potential for hydrocarbon accumulation. The project includes seismic acquisition, exploration drilling and potential production development.
3. West Songo Songo Gas Block
This exploration block lies approximately ten kilometers west of the producing Songo Songo gas field and covers about 505 square kilometers. Geological studies suggest similar structures to those found in the producing field. The project involves exploration, appraisal and potential production phases connected to the Songo Songo processing infrastructure.
4. Eyasi–Wembere Petroleum Block
The Eyasi–Wembere basin lies within the eastern branch of the East African Rift System and covers parts of Tabora, Shinyanga, Arusha, Singida and Simiyu regions. Geological similarities with Kenya’s Lokichar Basin and Uganda’s Albertine Graben suggest strong oil potential. The project includes seismic exploration, drilling and hydrocarbon production if resources are confirmed.
5. Promotion of Open Blocks for Oil and Gas Exploration
Tanzania is promoting approximately 23 open exploration blocks, including 20 deep offshore blocks and three in Lake Tanganyika. The initiative aims to attract international oil companies to participate in exploration and production activities, building on Tanzania’s already discovered 57.54 trillion cubic feet of gas resources.
GAS INFRASTRUCTURE AND INDUSTRIAL ENERGY
6. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Infrastructure Project
The CNG project focuses on expanding natural gas distribution infrastructure to support transportation and industrial energy use. The initiative includes development of CNG refueling stations, conversion workshops, mini-LNG systems and gas distribution pipelines.
7. Manufacturing Plants for Gas Distribution Equipment
This industrial project aims to establish local manufacturing capacity for gas sector equipment such as pipelines, meters, pressure reduction stations and CNG cylinders. Currently most equipment is imported, creating a strong opportunity for domestic manufacturing.
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS
8. Ngozi Geothermal Power Project
Located in Mbeya’s Rungwe volcanic province, the Ngozi geothermal field is one of Tanzania’s most advanced renewable energy prospects. Surface studies confirm high-temperature geothermal resources around 232°C, capable of producing more than 140 MW of electricity. The project includes exploration drilling, steam field development and power plant construction.
9. Kiejo-Mbaka Geothermal Project
Also located in the Mbeya region, this geothermal project aims to develop electricity generation and geothermal direct-use applications such as industrial heat and agricultural processing.
10. Songwe Geothermal Project
The Songwe geothermal field has potential for electricity generation and multiple direct-use applications including aquaculture, crop drying and tourism facilities.
11. Luhoi Geothermal Project
Situated in Coast Region approximately 150 km from Dar es Salaam, the Luhoi geothermal project targets a 5 MW power plant using a low-to-medium temperature geothermal system suitable for binary power generation.
12. Natron Geothermal Project
Located in Arusha Region, the Natron geothermal project has an estimated generation potential of about 60 MW and is currently in early exploration stages.
13. Meru Geothermal Project
This project focuses on geothermal exploration near Mount Meru in Arusha. Current activities include geological, geochemical and geophysical surface studies to evaluate geothermal resource potential.
POWER GENERATION PROJECTS (PPP PIPELINE)
14. 60 MW Kiejo-Mbaka Geothermal Power Plant (PPP)
This PPP project involves construction of a 60 MW geothermal power plant in Mbeya Region connected to the national grid.
15. 50 MW Mafia Renewable Hybrid Power Project
The Mafia project aims to build a renewable power system combining solar photovoltaic generation, battery energy storage and upgraded diesel generators to provide reliable electricity to Mafia Island.
16. 100 MW Manyoni Solar Power Plant
A large-scale solar photovoltaic facility planned in Manyoni District in Singida Region designed to supply renewable electricity to the national grid.
17. 60 MW Zuzu Solar PV Plant
This project proposes construction of a solar power plant in Dodoma to strengthen electricity supply in the administrative capital.
18. 50 MW Same Solar PV Power Project
A utility-scale solar project located in Same District, Kilimanjaro Region, aimed at expanding renewable electricity generation.
19. 100 MW Ikungi Wind Power Project
Located in Singida Region, the Ikungi wind power project targets development of a utility-scale wind farm integrated into the national electricity grid.
20. 300 MW Combined Cycle Gas Power Plant
A major gas-fired power station planned in Mtwara Region with associated transmission infrastructure to connect electricity generation to the national grid.
TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
21. Mtwara – Mbamba Bay – Mchuchuma/Liganga Railway
A 1,000 km railway corridor connecting Mtwara Port with Mbamba Bay on Lake Nyasa, including spurs to the coal and iron ore deposits of Mchuchuma and Liganga. The project is designed to unlock mineral resources and agricultural production in southern Tanzania.
22. Tanga – Arusha – Musoma Railway
A proposed 1,028 km railway corridor connecting northern Tanzania’s agricultural and tourism regions with the port of Tanga and Lake Victoria trade routes.
23. Dar es Salaam Commuter Railway Network
A proposed 160 km urban commuter rail system designed to improve mobility across the rapidly growing Dar es Salaam metropolitan region.
24. Dodoma Commuter Rail Network
A future urban rail network planned for Dodoma to support the city’s growth as Tanzania’s administrative capital.
ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE (PPP)
25. Kibaha – Mlandizi – Chalinze Toll Expressway
A 78.9 km expressway parallel to the existing Morogoro Road designed to reduce congestion and introduce toll-based financing.
26. Chalinze – Morogoro Expressway
A 126 km toll expressway aimed at reducing travel time between the coast and central Tanzania from two hours to approximately one hour.
SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
27. Construction of Student Hostels at CBE
A project to construct four new hostel buildings at the College of Business Education in Dar es Salaam to address student accommodation shortages and improve the learning environment.
EMERGING ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
28. Blue Hydrogen Production and Carbon Capture
A project exploring production of blue hydrogen using natural gas combined with carbon capture and storage technologies to support clean energy transition initiatives.
What Should Investors Look At?
The project pipeline reveals three strategic priorities shaping Tanzania’s economic development:
- Expansion of domestic energy production
- Large-scale renewable electricity generation
- Infrastructure corridors connecting resources and markets
Energy dominates the pipeline, reflecting Tanzania’s ambition to build an industrial economy powered by natural gas and renewable electricity. Infrastructure projects such as railways and expressways complement this strategy by connecting mineral deposits, agricultural regions and ports.
Together these initiatives represent a multi-billion-dollar investment pipeline aimed at transforming Tanzania into one of East Africa’s leading industrial and energy hubs.
Source: Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA)