The production of natural gas in Tanzania has contributed to national socioeconomic development. It is responsible for about 57% of the total generated electricity in the country. Despite a growing body of literature in this sector, little intellectual attention has been given to how local community members participate in and profit from this sector through an articulated engagement mechanism, employment and other benefits. Using a mix of qualitative research methods, we studied two gas-producing locations of Msimbati and Songosongo in southeastern Tanzania. Findings suggest inadequate local community participation. Belated and fast local community engagement by the government and gas companies resulted in unmanageable expectations to local communities. Hopes for more local employment opportunities dwindled as gas projects entered the production phase that required skilled workers. Stakeholders were unprepared without a gas sector institutional framework. Local communities have failed to tap the potential to produce and supply foodstuffs to gas companies. This has further restrained their potentially meaningful participation in this sector. Benefits emanating from gas activities have appeared inequitably shared among stakeholders. We call for well thought local community engagement approaches, equitable benefit-sharing modalities and local community preparedness to promote meaningful local community participation in the natural gas sector.

坦桑尼亚的天然气生产为国家社会经济发展做出了贡献。它约占该国发电总量的57％。尽管该部门的文献量不断增长，但很少有人在智力方面关注本地社区成员如何通过明确的参与机制，就业和其他利益参与该部门并从中获利。我们使用定性研究方法的混合，研究了坦桑尼亚东南部Msimbati和Songosongo的两个产气地点。调查结果表明当地社区参与不足。政府和天然气公司迟迟未动的地方社区参与，导致对地方社区的期望难以控制。随着天然气项目进入需要熟练工人的生产阶段，对更多当地就业机会的希望逐渐减少。没有天然气部门的体制框架，利益相关者毫无准备。当地社区未能发掘向天然气公司生产和供应食品的潜力。这进一步限制了他们在这一领域的潜在意义。利益相关者似乎不平等地分享了天然气活动所产生的利益。我们呼吁考虑周全的地方社区参与方法，公平的利益共享方式和地方社区准备，以促进有意义的地方社区参与天然气行业。当地社区未能发掘向天然气公司生产和供应食品的潜力。这进一步限制了他们潜在地有意义地参与该部门。利益相关者似乎不平等地分享了天然气活动所产生的利益。我们呼吁考虑周全的地方社区参与方法，公平的利益共享方式和地方社区准备，以促进有意义的地方社区参与天然气行业。当地社区未能发掘向天然气公司生产和供应食品的潜力。这进一步限制了他们潜在地有意义地参与该部门。利益相关者似乎不平等地分享了天然气活动所产生的利益。我们呼吁考虑周全的地方社区参与方法，公平的利益共享方式和地方社区准备，以促进有意义的地方社区参与天然气行业。