TANZANIA, Oct. 2 -- TANZANIA is edging closer to a historic breakthrough in its energy sector, one that could redefine both its national economy and the fortunes of its long-overlooked southern regions.

The 42 billion US dollars Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project planned for Likongo in Lindi is now in its final stage of negotiations, with a deal expected before the end of 2025. Once signed, construction will pave the way for annual production of up to 10 million tonnes of LNG in partnership with Shell and Equinor, an investment of rare scale on the continent.

The numbers alone are staggering, but the deeper story is about geography and equity. For decades, Tanzanias economic heartbeat has pulsed through Dar es Salaam and the northern c...