The Game-Changer: How Drag Reducing Agent Boosted TAZAMA Pipeline’s Capacity by at least 40 per cent. By Banji Kalenga On 31 January 2023 as we sat waiting to be given clearance to begin our monthly Energy Regulation Board (ERB) fuel price review announcement, I turned to my Chairman and asked, "When are you going to Zimbabwe?" He gave me a response that implied that the trip had been hijacked and thus wouldn't happen in February as planned. Unbeknownst to us one online media station had a microphone on next to us and was carrying our private conversation live on its platform. Later on we found out that our Minister had either heard or been made aware of our conversation. The long and short of it is that a few days later the Chairman informed me that the trip was back on and that I as Technical Committee Chairman was required to accompany him. I reluctantly had to put away my ZIALE books and embarked on this national assignment; national duty always comes first. The objectives of that trip are still ongoing but a major discovery to us as we toured Zimbabwe's fuel and fuel transportation facilities was the effectiveness of Drag Reducing Agents (DRA) in increasing the capacity of a fuel pipeline. An engineer is always excited to find solutions to problems. Like a dog with a bone I pushed for the of the use of DRA's on the TAZAMA Pipeline implementation through the highly progressive technical committee and ERB board. The problem to be solved was how the TAZAMA Pipeline with a then known pumping capacity of 2.8 million litres of diesel per day could meet the nation’s diesel demand that was known to 3.6 million litres at the time. In a significant leap forward for fuel transportation efficiency, as at 20/05/2025 TAZAMA Pipelines Limited has successfully increased its diesel throughput capacity with the introduction of DRA. This innovative chemical has transformed the pipeline’s performance, pushing daily fuel transport from 2.8 million litres to just shy of 4 million litres. What is Drag Reducing Agent (DRA)? DRA is a specialized chemical additive designed to reduce turbulence and friction within pipelines, allowing fuel to flow more smoothly and efficiently. By minimizing resistance, the agent enables a higher volume of liquid to be transported in a shorter time, effectively acting as a lubricant for the fuel moving through the pipeline. Impact on TAZAMA Pipeline TAZAMA Pipeline, which serves as a critical infrastructure for fuel transportation between Tanzania and Zambia, has seen a remarkable improvement in its operational efficiency since implementing DRA. Previously, the pipeline transported 2.8 million litres of diesel per day, but with the introduction of DRA, this figure has surged just below 4 million litres daily. This increase in capacity has several key benefits: • Enhanced Fuel Security: Zambia and Tanzania now have a more reliable and efficient fuel supply chain. • Reduced Road Damage: With more fuel transported via pipeline, fewer tanker trucks are needed, reducing wear and tear on roads. • Economic Gains: The improved efficiency translates to higher revenue for TAZAMA and reduced price of diesel leading to cost savings for fuel consumers. It is just a matter of time before the prices of goods start to reflect reductions as a result the lower transportation cost.