Joseph Isangura
Tanzania is preparing to mark a major milestone in its logistics and infrastructure development as President Samia Suluhu Hassan gears up to inaugurate the Kwala Dry Port on July 31, 2025.
The new inland port is located in Coast Region, about 80 kilometers west of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital.
The facility is widely expected to be a game-changer — not only for Tanzania but also for its landlocked neighbors in the East African Community (EAC), including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi, and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to economic and logistics experts, the dry port will significantly reduce cargo congestion at the overstretched Port of Dar es Salaam, enhance trade efficiency, and lower haulage costs for importers and exporters.
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“Kwala Dry Port represents more than just a storage facility — it’s a symbol of Tanzania’s commitment to regional trade integration and infrastructure-led growth,” said Dr. Sylvester Jotta, a business analyst and lecturer at Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), in a phone interview.
Currently, the port is handling around 823 containers per day, accounting for roughly 30% of daily traffic previously managed solely by the coastal port. Once fully operational, it is expected to process over 300,000 containers annually, providing significant relief for the logistics chain.
Importantly, Kwala Dry Port is strategically linked with the Tanzania Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which connects Dar es Salaam to the country’s hinterlands. This integration will allow seamless movement of cargo by rail and road, reducing dependence on long-haul trucking and cutting transit times by up to 40%.
The Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) has invested over TSh 83 billion (approx. $32 million) into the facility’s first phase. Further expansion is planned as trade volumes rise and more global shipping lines choose Dar es Salaam as their East African entry point.
The launch is also expected to catalyze economic growth in surrounding areas. Plans for a 500-hectare Kwala Satellite City are underway, aimed at supporting residential, commercial, and industrial activities tied to the port’s operations. This aligns with Tanzania’s broader Vision 2025, which focuses on transforming the country into a middle-income, industrialized economy.
