Tanzania’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) project is experiencing significant delays, raising concerns about Africa’s potential to capitalize on the global gas export boom. The slow progress of some of sub-Saharan Africa’s most prominent LNG developments comes as exporters worldwide are racing to secure long-term deals with buyers in Asia and Europe.
The risk for African producers is that they could miss out on lucrative opportunities, costing governments large amounts in lost foreign earnings1. This situation is particularly evident in Tanzania, where the country’s LNG project has been delayed, potentially causing Africa to miss out on the current gas export boom.
Despite these challenges, there is still hope for Africa’s gas sector. Some estimates predict that African LNG exports could grow to 60 million tons in 2025 and 74 million by 2030. Major exports from the large gas reserves in East Africa are not expected until 2026 in Mozambique and 2029-2030 in Tanzania.
While the delays are concerning, they also present an opportunity for African nations to reassess their energy strategies and explore more sustainable and diversified energy sources. The hope is that these challenges will serve as a catalyst for innovation and resilience in Africa’s energy sector.
Source: African Energy
