Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan named a new energy minister on Wednesday as part of a cabinet reshuffle, ahead of expected cabinet approval for a $42 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.

Doto Biteko, previously mines minister, will replace January Makamba as energy minister and will also become deputy prime minister, Chief Secretary Moses Kusiluka said in a statement.

Makamba, who has been involved in negotiations with investors over the LNG project, will become minister of foreign affairs and East African cooperation.

The energy ministry said in May it had agreed a deal with Equinor, Shell and Exxon Mobil for the development of an LNG export terminal after years of delays.

The agreement is awaiting cabinet approval and a final investment decision is expected in 2025.

Kusiluka gave no reasons for the cabinet changes, which left Finance Minister Mwigulu Nchemba in his post.

Antony Mavunde will become mines minister, Kusiluka said. Other ministries with leadership changes include defence, works and transport, and lands, housing and human settlements.

Tanzania is due to hold its next elections in 2025. President Hassan, who took over from her predecessor John Magufuli after his death in 2021, is expected to stand for a second term.

(Reporting by Nuzulack Dausen; Editing by George Obulutsa and David Holmes)