Tanzania has officially started a New Historical Journey entering the world map as a strategic Producer and Distributor of Helium Gas.
The move follows the signing of the Gas Extraction Agreement between the Government and Helium One Global Limited through the Songwe Helium Limited Partnership Company, in an event held on May 02, 2026 in Songwe Region.
This has been stated by the Deputy Minister of Mines, Dr. Steven Kiruswa while speaking at the event and explained that helium production in the world is currently dominated by a few countries, especially the United States and Qatar, which contribute more than 75% of all production, while Russia, Algeria, Canada, China and Poland contribute to a lesser extent.
He added that the demand for the gas has already exceeded 6 billion cubic feet per year and is expected to increase to more than 8.5 billion by 2030 where in Tanzania the companies Helium One Global Limited and Noble Helium have made great strides in the research activities of the gas.
He explained that the Southern Rukwa project is a strategic one that enables Tanzania to enter a high-value market with little competition and put it in a position to influence the direction of the helium market in the world, while it is expected to be part of the solution to the shortage of the gas in the world and explained that the extraction of helium will go hand in hand with complex gases like hydrogen where its benefits in terms of income will be separated.
Dr. Kiruswa explained that through the contract, the Government will own 17% of the shares in the joint venture company Songwe Helium Limited, a move that enables it to participate directly in strategic decisions and benefit from the income of the project for the benefit of the Nation and the people.
“This is the actual implementation of the philosophy of the Government of Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania that the resources of the country must be the source of the nation’s well-being” said Dr. Russian
Speaking about the other benefits of the project, he said it will contribute to employment for the youth of the region and the nation as a whole, commercial opportunities for the natives through supply services, infrastructure improvement, income for the Government and foreign currency and the improvement of important infrastructure such as roads and social services.
The CEO of Helium One Global Limited, Lorna Blaisse has said that the signing is an important step for Tanzania and the global helium market, noting that the project has valuable reserves and is headed for commercial production after the successful drilling of a well in 2024 which led to the discovery of helium in the Itambula West-1 well.
“In the extended well testing in the third quarter of 2024, the ITW-1 well recorded Helium with a concentration of 5.5% to the surface, and up to 7.6% from fractured Karoo rocks and fractured Basement rocks”, he said.
He said that after the signing of the mining license, the Songwe Helium Ltd company will continue with operational steps towards the first commercial production of helium.
He has mentioned these steps as including completing development plans; management system for environmental and social impact assessment; designing infrastructure, and buying processing and transportation equipment.
He has thanked the Government of Tanzania for its cooperation and approval of the partnership structure that ensures the country benefits from its resources, noting the commitment to produce helium in Tanzania with responsibility and high quality for the world market.
Earlier, speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Discussion Committee of the Ministry of Mines, Prof. Sifuni Mchome said through the Government’s procedure to own free shares that are not depreciated, the Government participates directly in mining projects, gains profits through dividends, royalties, taxes and various charges, participates in strategic decisions, protects the income and interests of the people with transparency and accountability.
“We discussed in a good order without arguing and we have reached the point where each one should get it, and today we are here to make it clear for each one to testify,” said Prof. Burn it.
Songwe Region Mr. Jabiri Makame said that the region is strategic with a wealth of various minerals including rare earth elements whose research is ongoing.
“We congratulate the Ministry of Mines for translating into action. For us, the issue of helping investors implement the project successfully is the first priority,” said Mr. Drought.
Helium is a very unique gas in the world because it has no alternative and its use is strategic for modern human life; it is used in medical devices such as MRI, production of electronic devices and digital technologies; aerospace industry; defense and scientific research, modern technologies like fiber optics and quantum computing.
The project is implemented in an area of ​​480 square kilometers, mostly in Songwe Region, Momba District and a small part entering Rukwa Region.
