The Director General of the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA), Eng. Charles Sangweni, emphasized the vital role of technological innovation in enhancing the growth and operational efficiency of the petroleum industry.

Speaking at the official opening of the Africa Technology Conference on May 27, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Eng. Sangweni noted that embracing modern technology is key to unlocking the full potential of the upstream petroleum sector and ensuring its long-term sustainability..

The conference, organized by the Tanzania Society of Petroleum Engineers in collaboration with the Society of Petroleum Engineers Africa Section, brought together over 200 participants from both within Tanzania and abroad.

The event served as a platform for dialogue on the development of the petroleum industry and for the exchange of knowledge and experiences across various industry-related domains.

Key discussion areas included emerging and cutting-edge technologies across the petroleum value chain, particularly in the areas of extraction, processing, and transportation of petroleum products.

Emphasizing the importance of technology adoption, Eng. Charles Sangweni highlighted the need to develop a tech-savvy workforce equipped with the skills required to thrive in the evolving petroleum industry.

“It is imperative to prepare our youth and professionals to keep pace with the rapid technological advancements transforming the global petroleum sector,” he stated.

Eng. Sangweni also addressed the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in petroleum operations. He encouraged members of the society to deepen their understanding of AI applications and leverage its potential to enhance industry performance and efficiency.