Tanzania and U.S. to Finalize Agreements on LNG, Tembo Nickel and Mahenge Graphite Projects

Tanzania’s President Hassan and the United States Acting Ambassador agreed to conclude negotiations for LNG, Tembo Nickel, and Mahenge Graphite projects to enhance investment and economic cooperation.
Andrew Lentz Samia Suluhu Hassan

The President of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, met with Andrew Lentz, the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam.

The meeting, held at the State House in Dodoma on December 8, 2025, follows the United States’ announcement to review its relations with Tanzania in the wake of the October 29 election protests and the subsequent crackdown.

The discussions focused on strengthening economic, political and security cooperation between Tanzania and the United States.

Tanzania Investment Guide 2026 Free Edition

The meeting reviewed progress on large-scale investment projects and confirmed the intention to conclude final negotiations for the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project and the Tembo Nickel project ahead of their official signing soon, as well as ongoing preparations for the Mahenge Graphite project.

Lentz reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to working with Tanzania on the basis of shared prosperity rather than aid dependency.

President Hassan welcomed the commitment and confirmed that Tanzania continues to finalize the remaining procedures required for the investments.

“As a non-aligned nation, Tanzania is open and ready to cooperate with all partners who respect our sovereignty and share our development vision,” President Hassan said.

“These strategic projects are vital to the country, and we are determined to complete them to unlock jobs, strengthen investment and improve the well-being of our citizens.”

TanzaniaInvest Capital Markets Report Banner

President Samia also noted that more than 400 United States companies are currently operating in Tanzania, reflecting stable investment conditions and long-standing economic relations between the two countries.

The discussions also covered wider areas of cooperation, including political governance, regional security, economic transformation, private sector growth, cooperation in health and people-to-people exchanges.

Lentz commended President Samia on the Tanzania Development Vision 2050 and confirmed the readiness of the United States Government to support its implementation, as well as the philosophy focusing on democracy and governance reforms.

As a result of the meeting, both parties agreed to finalize the remaining negotiations for major strategic projects involving United States companies in the country.

Key Strategic Projects in Tanzania Involving U.S. companies

The Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project is valued at USD42 billion
It aims to develop offshore gas resources, increase national revenues and position Tanzania among the leading producers of LNG globally.

The Tembo Nickel project in Ngara is valued at USD942 million
It targets the extraction of nickel, a key mineral in electric vehicle battery production, supporting industrial growth and export earnings.

The Mahenge Graphite project is valued at USD300 million
It will produce high-grade graphite for the renewable energy sector and strengthen Tanzania’s share in the global clean-energy supply chain.

Want to know more about Energy in Tanzania? Our free overview of the Tanzania Business and Investment Guide 2026 covers Energy, plus key sectors and investment opportunities. The complete 141-page edition includes policies, taxation, key regulations, full macroeconomic data, and sources, and is also available at no cost upon completion of a short form.

Download Free OverviewGet the Full Edition for Free
Related Posts
Tanzania Fitch Ratings
Read More

Fitch Revises Tanzania Outlook to Positive, Affirms ‘B+’ Rating, Forecasts GDP Growth of 5.8% in 2026 Driven by Tourism and Mining

Fitch Ratings revised Tanzania's outlook to positive from stable while affirming the sovereign rating at 'B+', citing strengthening reserves and a gradual decline in government debt, warning, however, that the credit rating remains constrained by weak governance and low government revenue. The agency forecasts real GDP growth of 5.8% in 2026 and an average of 6.1% in 2027 and 2028, driven by public investment, tourism, the country's role as a regional logistics hub, and expansion in the mining sector.
Tanzania Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP)
Read More

Tanzania Electricity Surplus Hits 2,375 MW As Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project Is Officially Launched

The Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project's 2,115MW plant lifted Tanzania's installed generation capacity to 4,646MW against peak demand of 2,271MW, with a surplus of 2,375MW, after President Samia Suluhu Hassan's inauguration on 22 August 2026. The government has signed an agreement to export power to Zambia and reached a trading arrangement with Kenya, while a newly completed 400kV Chalinze-Dodoma transmission line lifted national peak demand by 150MW within three days of coming online.
Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan DRC Felix Tshisekedi
Read More

DRC to Build Dry Port in Dar es Salaam, Deepen Transport and Mining Ties with Tanzania

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has begun preparations to build a dry port in Dar es Salaam that will provide customs, cargo handling, mineral certification, and quality control services for Congolese goods moving through Tanzania, President Félix Tshisekedi announced during a state visit to Tanzania on 18 August 2026. The DRC is among the largest users of Tanzanian ports, with approximately 7.2 million tonnes of cargo handled in 2023, as the two countries agreed to accelerate transport, trade, and mining cooperation along the Central Corridor.