Unguja. The government of Zanzibar has announced two onshore oil and natural gas exploration blocks, inviting local and international companies to submit their applications for investment in the sector.
The announcement follows six months after the launch of the first round of offshore oil and gas exploration blocks, which were unveiled by the President of Zanzibar, Dr Hussein Mwinyi, on March 20, 2024.
The Minister for Blue Economy and Fisheries, Mr Shaaban Ali Othman, said in a statement on September 27, 2024 that the new blocks were formed from the Pemba-Zanzibar block, which was returned to the government after the license held by a United Arab Emirates (UAE) oil and gas company Rakgas expired.
“The former Pemba-Zanzibar block has been divided into two: Zanzibar Block 1, covering 6,572 square kilometers, and Zanzibar Block 2, covering 6,242 square kilometers,” the minister said in the statement.
He stated that offering the blocks through negotiation aligns with Zanzibar’s strategic vision to attract investment in oil and gas exploration and to develop the island’s natural resources.
“Both the Zanzibar Development Plan (ZADEP 2021/26) and the 2022 Blue Economy Policy emphasise advancing oil and gas exploration in Zanzibar and partnering with international oil and gas companies (IOCs) in the activities,” said Mr Othman.
Regarding the eight offshore blocks announced in March, he said that the government is still receiving applications, with significant interest from international oil and gas companies. However, he did not disclose the number of companies that have applied so far.
The initial deadline for applications for the offshore blocks was September 2024 but has since been extended to December 2024.
“We are open to discussing opportunities with anyone ready to invest in the onshore oil and gas sector,” the statement added.
The ministry’s permanent secretary, Mr Hamad Bakari Hamad, emphasised the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the sector is fully utilised for the benefit of the nation and its people.
The government of Tanzania in partnership with oil and gas companies have discovered a total of 57.54 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of natural gas from different blocks. That includes 10.41 TCF from onshore wells and 47.13 TCF discovered offshore.
The natural gas is currently used mainly for electricity generation, industrial consumption, domestic use and a little bit for fuel in gas-powered vehicles.
About 53.2 percent of the electricity was being generated through natural gas, according to the Energy budget speech, while hydropower plants account for 43.1 percent. Oil contributed 3.7 percent, the ministry said.
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Addis Ababa, January 20, 2025</Strong> — Tanzania has declared a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak after confirming one case and identifying 25 suspected cases in the Kagera Region of Northwestern Tanzania. The Marburg virus, a highly infectious and often fatal disease, is similar to Ebola and is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and monkeys. This outbreak marks the nation’s second encounter with the deadly virus, following the outbreak in Bukoba District of Kagera Region in March 2023, which resulted in nine cases and six deaths.
In response to this urgent threat, the Africa CDC is mobilizing strong support to help Tanzania contain the outbreak. A team of twelve public health experts will be deployed as part of an advance mission in the next 24 hours. The multidisciplinary team includes epidemiologists, risk communication, infection prevention and control (IPC), and laboratory experts to provide on-ground support for surveillance, IPC, diagnostics, and community engagement.
The Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, has engaged with Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Minister of Health to ensure coordinated efforts and secure political commitment for the response.
“Africa CDC stands firmly with Tanzania in this critical moment. To support the government’s efforts, we are committing US$ 2 million to bolster immediate response measures, including deploying public health experts, strengthening diagnostics, and enhancing case management. Building on Tanzania’s commendable response during the 2023 outbreak, we are confident that swift and decisive action, combined with our support and those of other partners, will bring this outbreak under control,” Dr. Kaseya stated.
Africa CDC has recently supported efforts to enhance the diagnostic and sequencing capacity of public health laboratories in Tanzania. PCR Test kits and genomic sequencing reagents have been dispatched, with additional supplies in the pipeline. To ensure rapid identification and confirmation of cases, the institution will also provide technical assistance to strengthen detection and genome sequencing for better characterization of the pathogen. Additionally, support will be provided to improve case management protocols and enhance the capacity to deliver safe and effective treatment.
Africa CDC is committed to working closely with the Government of Tanzania, regional partners, international organizations, and global stakeholders, including the World Health Organization, to stop the spread of the Marburg virus.
Source: allafrica.com
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