Despite a yawning deficit in energy supply that has plunged Tanzania into a serious electricity crisis, the country has failed to tap the massive potential of recently discovered natural gas stores.

Although the government is boasting of major gas discoveries in the country’s offshore fields, very little investment is already under way to supply gas for electricity generation.

Over the past several years, Tanzania has discovered and developed gas deposits in four areas: Songo Songo Island off the eastern coast; Kiliwani, near Songo Songo; Mnazi Bay in southeastern Tanzania; and Mkuranga, near Dar es Salaam. Two of these areas are already being tapped to produce electricity for the country’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam. But it is not enough to