Nigeria’s First E&P Set to Develop Tanzanian Gas Block With State-Owned TPDC

FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P) has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with state-owned Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) for the technical assessment and potential development of the Mnazi Bay North Block in southern Tanzania.

The Nigerian independent oil company will fully fund the assessment phase, with the ultimate objective being to advance to a licence agreement and develop this opportunity into a world-class producing asset, according to a statement on Saturday.

Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, managing director/CEO of FIRST E&P, said: “Our success in Nigeria, built on deep technical expertise, a high-performance team, and an entrepreneurial mindset, has positioned us to deploy our capabilities beyond our home market.

“We believe Tanzania holds world-class hydrocarbon resources and its strategic location positions it as a natural energy hub for the region. With the right investments and partnerships, Tanzania can play a pivotal role in improving energy access, enabling cross-border distribution, and driving regional energy security across Sub-Saharan Africa.”

Adeyemi-Bero emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, “We are confident that this MoU marks not just the beginning of a project, but the start of a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship between FIRST E&P and the government and people of Tanzania. We extend our sincere appreciation to TPDC for their collaborative spirit, professionalism, and openness throughout this process.”

Godluck Shirima, commissioner for petroleum and gas, ministry of energy, Tanzania, said, “The Petroleum Act of 2015 empowers TPDC to develop blocks independently or in partnership with strategic collaborators. TPDC has since identified key blocks, including Mnazi Bay, and we are working in close coordination with Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA), the Ministry of Energy, and TPDC to progress development. This MoU marks a first-of-its-kind upstream initiative, and we look forward to commencing exploration and production activities. With FIRST E&P’s support, we believe Tanzania’s upstream sector will be significantly strengthened.”

Mussa Makame, managing director of TPDC, said, “The reality we must acknowledge as Africans is that many of our people still rely on biomass for energy; an option that poses serious risks to both health and the environment. Transitioning to gas is a critical step toward ensuring energy security for our communities. Developing our reserves is, therefore, a national priority. It is even more encouraging when African companies collaborate to unlock these resources, as it allows us to harness and benefit from them right here on our own soil”