EnergyNet spoke with Adly Kafafy, Vice President Africa & New Ventures, TAQA Arabia, to find out about Tanzania's first integrated CNG filling station and conversion centre, the country’s new LNG Virtual Pipeline, and the role of natural gas for the future.

You have launched Tanzania's first integrated compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station and conversion centre. Can you tell us more about “Master Gas” and who is using it?

“Master Gas” is our local brand for CNG. We began this journey in Egypt in 2007, so we’ve been developing and using CNG as a local energy resource for a long time.

We were in exactly the same position as Tanzania – we had natural gas but were using gasoline.  

The primary benefit of CNG is its cost-efficiency – approximately one-third the price of gasoline for the same energy output.

 With the collaboration of the government, Egypt now has 500,000 vehicles converted to CNG and more than 800 natural gas fuelling stations. As a country, we have made a great saving by using our own natural resources and reducing our dependence on imported fuels.  We’ve been building the empire for CNG and Master Gas for almost 20 years now.

Four years ago, we decided to move forward to integrate this project in other countries with abundant natural gas resources – countries in a similar situation to our own.  Tanzania was a natural starting point.  

A small pilot project for CNG was already in place, but the market lacked development.

For CNG to succeed, you need a fully integrated station space. Our model includes fuelling stations, vehicle conversion centres, and specialized workshops for regular maintenance and system inspections – all in one place Our approach ensures the safety and efficiency of CNG systems, including periodic checks on the gas cylinders and combustion systems.

 We haven’t stopped at Tanzania. We now have seven operating stations in Mozambique, one of which includes a conversion centre, and supply natural gas to over 80 buses in Maputo. We’re expanding with the same project in Mauritania, studying potential projects in Senegal, and working on a large-scale project in Saudi Arabia.

 

In May 2024, you announced Tanzania’s first LNG development and its first LNG Virtual Pipeline. Could you tell us more about this project?

One of the main challenges with CNG development is its dependency on being near a pipeline. This is our biggest challenge in Tanzania. The pipeline runs along the coast to Dar es Salaam, but what about the rest of the country? If you don’t have a pipeline, you can’t expand. We wanted a solution and developed the concept of the LNG Virtual Pipeline.

We take natural gas from the existing pipeline, which is processed into LNG using mini LNG facilities, and can be transported to remote locations up to 1,000 kilometers away, where the LNG can be transformed into CNG.   

The Virtual LNG Pipeline will provide reliable, economical, and clean energy to households, industries, and the transportation sector.

This is a major undertaking with major investments, so it takes time. With the support of the Tanzanian government and major stakeholders in the country, we are determined to develop the CNG market in Tanzania.

 

Are there any other projects planned for Tanzania or across the East African region, beyond what you’ve already mentioned?

Yes, we are planning to expand our operations to neighbouring countries as part of the Tanzanian government’s vision to supply natural gas to the region. The government has promised to provide natural gas to neighbouring countries, and with our virtual pipeline solution, we can make this a reality.

We want to support the government to supply everyone in Tanzania with natural gas. In Egypt, we built over 13,000 kilometres of pipeline networks to supply natural gas to more than two million households. This is what we are looking forward to do in Tanzania.     

 

What are you most looking forward to at the East African Energy Cooperation Summit?

Summits such as these provide an invaluable opportunity to network with individuals who share common interests. The East African Energy Cooperation Summit distinguishes itself through its concentrated and exclusive environment, making it a premier gathering.  This is an excellent place to network. Unlike large events where it’s easy to miss people you know or potential collaborators, this summit allows you to meet and engage directly with everyone relevant to the region’s energy sector.

The focus on East Africa is critical – there’s no point in holding meetings for East African energy development in far-off locations like Dubai.  

This is an opportunity to see people, to meet everyone who shares the same interests and goals, and to discover the synergies and collaborations that we can develop together.

 

 What are you most excited about for the next year in energy?

 I’m hopeful that within the next year, we’ll have the LNG project moving forward, with all the agreements that are in place. And maybe, at next year’s EA-ECS, we’ll be able to celebrate the kick-off of construction for the mini-liquefaction plant.

 

Adly will be speaking in the panel discussion: Enhancing Energy Systems - Integrating Natural Gas into the Grid at EA ECS on Wednesday 29 January.