DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, 4 September 2026 — CFAO Mobility Tanzania, the authorised distributor of SHACMAN trucks in Tanzania, has officially launched the new SHACMAN [MODEL NAME] Compressed Natural Gas truck, introducing a cleaner and potentially more cost-efficient heavy transport solution to the Tanzanian market.
The launch ceremony, organised by CFAO Mobility Tanzania, brought together Government representatives, transport and logistics operators, manufacturers, construction and mining companies, energy-sector stakeholders, financial institutions, customers and members of the media.
The introduction comes as Tanzania accelerates investment in natural gas, ports, railways, roads and industrial infrastructure to strengthen its position as an energy and logistics gateway for East and Central Africa. It also responds to fuel-price volatility, pressure on fleet margins and uncertainty in global petroleum supply chains.
Built for Tanzania’s changing transport economy
The SHACMAN truck is purpose-built at the factory to operate on compressed natural gas. It combines the power, durability and load-carrying capacity required for heavy-duty commercial operations with the economic and environmental advantages associated with natural gas. It is suited to long-distance freight, port and corridor logistics, manufacturing distribution, construction, mining and other demanding operations.
“Tanzania is building an economy in which energy, transport, logistics and manufacturing must grow together. SHACMAN sees an opportunity to support this transformation with heavy‑duty vehicles designed around the country’s emerging energy and industrial realities. The SHACMAN X3000 CNG truck gives operators the performance and reliability they expect while allowing them to use a fuel Tanzania produces domestically. This is an important step towards a transport industry that is more efficient, competitive and resilient.”
— Michael (Yuxuan ZHANG), Product Specialist, SHACMAN
“Our SHACMAN X3000 CNG truck is fully factory‑calibrated for East African operating conditions. It is powered by reliable WEICHAI CNG gas engine, matched with FAST gearbox and HANDE heavy‑duty axles — our proven golden powertrain combination widely operated across East Africa. The right‑hand‑drive chassis and heavy‑duty suspension are engineered to deliver stable performance under heavy‑load, long‑haul and rough‑road scenarios. We have also completed full local adaption on gas‑storage system, cooling and key components to match Tanzania’s CNG refueling infrastructure.”
— Bruce (Yifan SHAO), Marketing Specialist, SHACMAN
Supporting Tanzania’s regional ambitions
Tanzania Development Vision 2050 seeks to build a prosperous, industrialised and competitive economy, with integrated logistics and reliable energy among the key enablers of national transformation.
The country’s geographical position gives it a strategic role in connecting the Indian Ocean with Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Malawi. Investment in the ports of Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Mtwara, the Standard Gauge Railway, the Central Corridor, trunk roads, dry ports and border infrastructure is reinforcing Tanzania’s position as a regional trade and logistics gateway.
At the same time, Tanzania is pursuing its ambition to become an East African energy hub by expanding natural gas utilisation, power generation, fuel storage and distribution. The manufacturing agenda brings these ambitions together: competitive industries require dependable energy, efficient movement of raw materials and reliable distribution of finished products.
“Tanzania’s ambition to become an East African energy hub, a regional logistics gateway and a competitive manufacturing economy will depend on the efficiency and resilience of its transport system. Industries need reliable movement of raw materials and finished products, while regional trade depends on commercially sustainable freight solutions.”
“The SHACMAN CNG truck connects these ambitions by enabling transporters and industries to use a locally available energy resource, gain greater control over their operating costs and reduce dependence on imported diesel. This is more than a new truck; it is a practical mobility solution for Tanzania’s next phase of industrial and economic growth.”
— Ali Timimi, Chief Executive Officer, CFAO Mobility Tanzania
Turning domestic gas into economic competitiveness
Tanzania has substantial natural gas resources and is expanding their utilisation beyond conventional power generation. Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation’s CNG mother station at the University of Dar es Salaam has capacity to refuel at least 1,200 vehicles per day. TPDC has also outlined infrastructure expansion towards Kibaha and Chalinze, including connections for industries, institutions, households and CNG refuelling stations.
The Ministry of Energy’s Natural Gas Sub-Sector Performance Report showed that CNG use in vehicles increased by 292 per cent during the 2023/24 financial year. Expanding CNG in heavy transport could help Tanzania create greater domestic value from its gas resources while supporting industries whose competitiveness is strongly influenced by logistics costs.
A response to global energy uncertainty
The launch comes amid instability in international energy markets. Geopolitical conflicts, supply disruptions and pressure on major petroleum-trading routes have contributed to sharp movements in global oil and refined-product prices. For transport-dependent economies, higher diesel prices raise the cost of moving agricultural produce, construction materials, minerals, manufactured goods and consumer products.
“The global energy crisis has shown that excessive dependence on one fuel exposes businesses and national economies to external shocks. Tanzania has the advantage of possessing its own natural gas resources. The opportunity now is to convert that resource advantage into lower logistics costs, stronger industries, greater energy security and improved regional competitiveness.”
— Ali Timimi, Chief Executive Officer, CFAO Mobility Tanzania
Customer support and an enabling CNG ecosystem
CFAO Mobility Tanzania will support SHACMAN customers with trained technicians, preventive maintenance, diagnostics, genuine spare parts and technical guidance. The company will also work with vehicle manufacturers, gas suppliers, infrastructure developers, financial institutions and Government authorities to help fleet owners assess suitable routes, refuelling availability, financing options and total cost of ownership.
The SHACMAN CNG truck will be available through CFAO Mobility Tanzania, with vehicle configurations and commercial packages tailored to different industries and fleet requirements.
