MWE Correspondent
Tanzania has used the opening of Gastech 2026 in Bangkok to strengthen its engagement with global energy investors and industry leaders, as the country seeks to position its natural gas resources as a major driver of economic growth and long-term energy security.
Deputy Minister for Energy, Hon. Salome Makamba, participated in the official opening of the international energy conference, which brings together government leaders, energy experts, investors, technology companies and other stakeholders from more than 150 countries.
Gastech 2026 is being held at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) from September 14 to 17 under the theme “Advancing Global Energy Market Stability.” The event is focusing on some of the major challenges facing the global energy system, including supply security, LNG development, electrification, low-carbon technologies, artificial intelligence and the need for reliable and affordable energy.
Organisers say the event is bringing together more than 50,000 energy professionals, alongside more than 1,000 exhibitors and speakers from across the global energy value chain.
The meeting comes at a time when energy security has become increasingly important amid geopolitical tensions, disruptions to energy infrastructure and changing patterns of global fuel supply.
Natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) are expected to remain important components of the global energy system, particularly as countries seek to balance growing electricity demand, industrial expansion and efforts to reduce emissions. Recent developments in international gas markets have also highlighted the importance of diversifying LNG supplies and strengthening infrastructure to protect consumers from geopolitical and supply disruptions.
For Tanzania, the discussions provide an important platform to showcase its significant natural gas potential and attract investment into the wider gas value chain.
Tanzania is estimated to have approximately 47 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, placing the country among the significant gas-resource holders in Africa. The country’s offshore gas resources have also attracted major international energy companies, with plans for a large-scale LNG development in southern Tanzania continuing to attract attention from global investors.
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The proposed Tanzania LNG project, estimated at about US$42 billion, could become one of the country’s largest energy investments and potentially transform Tanzania’s position in international LNG markets. The project is expected to create opportunities across infrastructure, construction, logistics, services, employment and technology while providing a potential route for monetising offshore natural gas resources.
Makamba’s participation at Gastech therefore provides Tanzania with an opportunity not only to discuss energy security but also to engage directly with companies and investors involved in LNG production, transportation, storage, infrastructure and emerging energy technologies.
Gastech’s focus extends across the entire gas and LNG value chain, including liquefaction, regasification, storage, shipping and emissions management, making the event particularly relevant to countries seeking to develop large-scale gas projects.
The conference is also placing increasing emphasis on artificial intelligence and electrification as global energy systems undergo rapid technological change. Asia’s growing industrialisation and electricity demand have made the region a particularly important market for LNG and other energy investments. Thailand’s Ministry of Energy has noted that Southeast Asia could account for around a quarter of global energy-demand growth through 2035.
For Tanzania, the growing Asian energy market could provide an important commercial opportunity, particularly if the country succeeds in advancing its LNG ambitions and establishing the infrastructure required to connect its gas resources to international markets.
Beyond investment, Tanzania’s presence at Gastech also strengthens opportunities for international cooperation in energy technology, infrastructure development, skills, financing and low-carbon solutions.
As countries around the world seek to secure reliable energy supplies while reducing emissions, Tanzania is positioning natural gas as part of a broader strategy aimed at supporting industrialisation, expanding electricity access, attracting foreign investment and accelerating economic development.
The country’s participation in one of the world’s major energy gatherings therefore comes at a strategic moment, giving Tanzania an international platform to present its energy resources and investment opportunities while engaging with the companies and policymakers shaping the future of global energy markets.
