Joseph Isangura
Tanzania has taken a significant step to strengthen its trade and logistics capacity by acquiring 490 hectares of land in Dodoma for the development of the Ihumwa Dry Port.
This project, spearheaded by the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), is part of the nation’s broader strategy to reduce congestion at the Port of Dar es Salaam and improve the flow of goods across the region.
TPA Director General Plasduce Mbossa revealed that the planning phase for the Ihumwa Dry Port is complete. The new facility will include modern railway connections, a large marshalling yard, and advanced infrastructure for handling both imports and exports.
“The Ihumwa Dry Port will bring the Port of Dar es Salaam closer to inland regions, making transportation faster and more cost-effective,” Mbossa explained. “It will also serve as a vital export hub for agricultural and industrial goods produced in the central regions.”
In tandem with the Ihumwa project, another dry port in the Kwala area of the Coast Region is undergoing expansion. Located about 105 kilometers from Dar es Salaam, the Kwala Dry Port is designed to handle over 300,000 containers annually. The aim is to ease the pressure on Tanzania’s busiest port and enhance efficiency in cargo handling.
The government has already invested over 83 billion Tanzanian shillings in the Kwala Dry Port, which is nearing completion with construction progress at 95%. Once operational, it is expected to significantly streamline logistics, not only within Tanzania but also for neighboring landlocked countries such as Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These developments align with Tanzania’s broader vision to become a logistics hub for regional and international trade. Investments in dry ports, complemented by the ongoing modernization of railways and maritime infrastructure, are set to make the transportation of goods more seamless and cost-effective.
The Ihumwa and Kwala Dry Ports are being integrated into Tanzania’s national railway network, ensuring a multimodal approach to cargo movement. This integration will reduce delivery times and costs, boosting the competitiveness of Tanzanian exports while facilitating imports.
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These infrastructure projects also align with the government’s Third Five-Year Development Plan, which emphasizes improving port performance to drive socio-economic growth. By enhancing logistics infrastructure, Tanzania aims to attract more international trade, create jobs, and support economic development.
With the completion of these dry ports on the horizon, Tanzania is positioning itself as a key player in the regional trade landscape. Stakeholders are optimistic that the projects will unlock new opportunities and improve the country’s supply chain systems, benefiting both local businesses and the broader East African community.
