The Government of Tanzania, through the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA), is preparing to auction 26 oil and gas exploration blocks in November 2025 in London. This marks the country’s fifth licensing round and is part of a broader effort to attract foreign investment and expand exploration activities in both offshore and inland basins.
The blocks include 23 located in the Indian Ocean and three in Lake Tanganyika – regions with promising geological structures that mirror nearby countries where substantial hydrocarbon reserves have been discovered.
As part of a wider regional dialogue, Charles Sangweni, the Director General and Chair of PURA, will also be a key speaker at ATC 2025 holding in Dar es Salaam from May 27 to 29, 2025. He is expected to lead discussions on the strategic importance of these exploration blocks and their potential to transform the energy landscape across East Africa.
“This licensing round is a vital step in unlocking Tanzania’s hydrocarbon potential,” said Sangweni in an earlier statement. “We are improving the investment environment, including updating our Model Production Sharing Agreement to offer globally competitive terms.”
Tanzania currently has an estimated 57.54 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas reserves, mostly located offshore. The upcoming auction is seen as a move to capitalise on these reserves to support economic development, enhance energy security, and position Tanzania as a regional energy hub.
The government is offering extensive data packages for each block – comprising seismic data, well logs and geological studies – to help investors make informed decisions.
With high-level participation from headline sponsors, PURA, the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation and other regional stakeholders at the Africa Technology Conference, Tanzania is positioning itself at the centrre of Africa’s evolving energy future.
São Tomé and Príncipe, represented by the National Petroleum Agency (ANP-STP), will also join ATC 2025 to present its forward-looking energy strategies and regional collaboration efforts, reinforcing the continent’s collective push toward a dynamic and sustainable energy future.
Speakers Álvaro Silva, Executive Director and Célsio Quaresma, Economic Director, will showcase São Tomé and Príncipe’s energy strategies, innovations and investment opportunities.
Their presence will elevate the conversation around Africa’s energy transformation and contribute meaningfully to shaping a sustainable future.