These achievements follow the signing of the Government Participation Agreement in Helium Gas Extraction through a partnership between the Government and Helium One Global Limited, via the joint venture company Songwe Helium Limited, on May 2, 2026




*TANZANIA USHERS IN A NEW ERA OF GLOBAL HELIUM PRODUCTION*

*Positioned to Address the Worldwide Helium Gas Shortage*

*Helium One Global States Songwe Reserve Holds Immense Geological Value*

*Project to Begin Implementation After 18 Months, Over $60 Million Already Invested*

*Government to Own 17% Stake Through Songwe Helium Limited Joint Venture Company*

📍*Songwe*

Tanzania has officially embarked on a historic new journey, entering the global map as a strategic producer and distributor of helium gas. This step follows the signing of a gas extraction agreement between the government and Helium One Global Limited through the Songwe Helium Limited joint venture company, at an event held on May 2, 2026, in the Songwe Region.

This was clarified by the Deputy Minister of Minerals, Dr. Steven Kiruswa, while speaking at the event and explaining that current global helium production is dominated by a few countries, particularly the United States and Qatar, which contribute more than 75% of total production, while Russia, Algeria, Canada, China, and Poland contribute to a lesser extent. He added that demand for the gas has already surpassed 6 billion cubic feet per year and is projected to rise to more than 8.5 billion by 2030, where for Tanzania, Helium One Global Limited and Noble Helium companies have taken significant steps in research activities for the gas.

He explained that the Southern Rukwa project is a strategic one that enables Tanzania to enter a high-value market with low competition and positions it to influence the direction of the global helium market, while it is expected to be part of the solution to the worldwide helium shortage, and noted that helium extraction will proceed alongside associated gases such as hydrogen, where its revenue benefits will be separated.

Furthermore, Dr. Kiruswa clarified that through this agreement, the government will own 17% of the shares in the Songwe Helium Limited joint venture company, a step that enables direct participation in strategic decisions and benefiting from project revenues for the benefit of the nation and its citizens.

"This is the true implementation of the philosophy of Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan's government, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, that the country's resources must be a source of national prosperity," said Dr. Kiruswa.

Discussing other benefits of the project, he said it will contribute jobs for youth in the relevant area and the nation at large, business opportunities for locals through supply services, infrastructure improvements, government revenues and foreign exchange, and enhancements to essential infrastructure such as roads and social services.

For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Helium One Global Limited, Lorna Blaisse, said the signing is a crucial step for Tanzania and the global helium market, clarifying that the project has a reserve of great value and is heading toward commercial production following the success of well drilling in 2024, which led to the discovery of helium in the Itambula West-1 well.

"In the expanded well testing in the third quarter of 2024, the ITW-1 well recorded helium with a concentration of 5.5% up to the surface, and up to 7.6% from fractured Karoo rocks and fractured Basement rocks," she said.

She said that after the signing of the extraction license, Songwe Helium Ltd company will proceed with operational steps toward the first commercial helium production. She listed those steps as including completing development plans; an environmental and social impact assessment management system; designing infrastructure, and purchasing processing and product transportation equipment.

She also thanked the Government of Tanzania for its partnership and approval of a joint venture structure that ensures the country benefits from its resources, emphasizing the commitment to producing Tanzania's helium responsibly and to high standards for the global market.


Earlier, speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Negotiating Committee of the Ministry of Minerals, Prof. Sifuni Mchome, said that through the Government's mechanism of owning free shares without any depreciation, the Government participates directly in mining projects, receives benefits through dividends, royalties, taxes and various levies, participates in strategic decisions, protects the income and interests of the people with transparency and accountability.

"We discussed in a good manner without arguing and we have reached the stage where everyone gets it, and today we are here to make it clear and everyone can witness it," said Prof. Mchome.

In turn, the Regional Commissioner of Songwe, Hon. Jabiri Makame, said that the Region is strategic with a wealth of various minerals including rare earth elements whose research is ongoing.

"We commend the Ministry of Minerals for translating it into practice. For us, the issue of helping investors implement the project successfully is the first priority," said Hon. Makame.

Helium is a very unique gas in the world because it has no substitute and its use is strategic for modern human life; it is used in medical equipment such as MRI, the production of electronic devices and digital technologies; the aerospace industry; defense and scientific research, modern technologies such as fiber optics and quantum computing.

The project is being implemented in an area of ​​480 square kilometers, mostly in Songwe Region, Momba District and a small part entering Rukwa Region.


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Wizara ya Madini/ Ministry of Mining