Tanzania's fuel revolution slowed down by lack of filling stations

BBC - Jan 5th, 2025
Open on BBC

Tanzania is witnessing a shift in vehicle fuel preferences as motorists start adopting compressed natural gas (CNG) due to its environmental benefits and cost-effectiveness. However, the limited number of CNG filling stations, particularly in Dar es Salaam, is causing significant delays for drivers, including taxi owners like Samuel Amos Irube, who find themselves waiting in long queues to refuel. Despite these challenges, the government is pushing for near-total adoption of CNG by mid-century, leveraging the nation's vast natural gas reserves to provide a cheaper alternative to petrol and diesel.

The transition to CNG in Tanzania reflects a broader trend in several African countries towards cleaner and more affordable energy sources. The Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) acknowledges the rapid increase in demand and is working on expanding infrastructure, including building a central CNG station in Dar es Salaam and acquiring mobile units. The involvement of companies like Taqa Arabia, which has plans to build more stations, indicates a growing interest in CNG as a viable energy source. Though current infrastructure is inadequate, these efforts signal a significant shift in Tanzania's energy landscape, potentially reducing emissions and offering financial savings to motorists.

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RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides an informative overview of the growing use of compressed natural gas (CNG) as a vehicle fuel in Tanzania. It highlights both the benefits and challenges of CNG adoption, such as cost savings and infrastructure limitations. However, the article could improve its factual accuracy by providing more specific data and verifying claims with authoritative sources. While it generally maintains a balanced tone, there could be more representation of diverse perspectives, particularly from stakeholders like environmentalists or government officials. The quality of sources is mixed, as the article relies heavily on anecdotal evidence without citing detailed studies or reports. Transparency is somewhat lacking, especially regarding potential conflicts of interest or the methodologies behind the claims. The article is generally clear and well-structured, but some sections could benefit from more detailed explanations or background information to enhance reader understanding. Overall, it serves as a good starting point for discussions on CNG usage in Tanzania, but there is room for improvement in several dimensions.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The article provides a general overview of CNG usage in Tanzania, including the benefits and challenges associated with its adoption. However, it lacks detailed factual accuracy in several areas. For instance, while it mentions the number of CNG users and the cost savings compared to petrol, it does not provide specific data or authoritative sources to verify these claims. The mention of Tanzania's large gas reserves is not backed by any specific figures or references to geological studies, which could have strengthened the article's accuracy. Additionally, the article states that the government wants near-total CNG adoption by mid-century but does not provide a source for this information or detail any strategic plans. These omissions weaken the factual accuracy, making it difficult for readers to fully trust the information presented.

7
Balance

The article attempts to present a balanced view of the situation by highlighting both the advantages and disadvantages of CNG adoption in Tanzania. It includes perspectives from various stakeholders, such as taxi owners, CNG users, and industry representatives. However, the representation of viewpoints could be more comprehensive. For example, the article heavily focuses on the experiences of individual motorists and lacks input from government officials or environmental experts, who could provide insights into policy intentions or environmental impacts. While it mentions plans for infrastructure expansion, it does not explore potential challenges or opposing views, such as those from critics who may argue against CNG adoption. Overall, the article leans towards a positive portrayal of CNG without fully addressing potential drawbacks or alternative perspectives.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, providing a narrative that flows logically from the introduction of CNG in Tanzania to the current challenges faced by adopters. The language is straightforward and accessible, making complex information about fuel conversion and infrastructure limitations understandable to a general audience. However, some sections could benefit from more detailed explanations or background information. For example, the article mentions Tanzania's large gas reserves and the environmental benefits of CNG without elaborating on these points or providing comparative data. While the tone remains neutral and professional, the article could enhance clarity by avoiding jargon or technical terms without explanation. Overall, the article effectively communicates its main message, but additional context and elaboration could improve reader comprehension.

5
Source quality

The article's reliance on anecdotal evidence and statements from individuals limits the overall source quality. While it includes quotes from motorists and a project manager at the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), it lacks citations from authoritative reports, studies, or government documents that could enhance credibility. Additionally, the article does not provide links or references to external sources that support its claims, such as data on Tanzania's gas reserves or detailed cost comparisons with petrol. The reliance on a single corporate perspective from Taqa Arabia without consulting other industry players or independent experts may also introduce bias. To improve source quality, the article should incorporate a wider range of credible sources, including academic studies, government reports, and expert analyses, to substantiate its claims and provide a more robust evidence base.

6
Transparency

The article provides some context for the CNG initiative in Tanzania, such as historical background and the current state of infrastructure. However, it lacks transparency in several key areas. For instance, while it discusses the cost of vehicle conversion and potential savings, it does not disclose the basis for these calculations or any potential variables that could affect these figures. Additionally, the article does not address any potential conflicts of interest, particularly concerning the involvement of private companies like Taqa Arabia in the CNG project. It also fails to explain the methodologies behind claims of environmental benefits or the government's strategy for achieving near-total adoption by mid-century. Greater transparency would involve clearly outlining the sources of information, potential biases, and any affiliations that could impact the impartiality of the reporting.