Joseph Isangura
The Tanzanian government has announced plans to construct a new 300-metre berth at the Port of Tanga as part of an ambitious infrastructure programme aimed at transforming the country’s second-largest seaport into a major regional trade and logistics hub.
The project follows a significant increase in cargo volumes and revenue at the port, reflecting growing demand from domestic industries and neighbouring landlocked countries that rely on Tanzanian ports for access to international markets.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the port on Monday, July 13, 2026, Finance Minister Khamis Mussa Omar said the expansion would be implemented jointly by the Government and the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) as part of the Sixth Phase Government’s broader strategy to stimulate economic growth through investments in transport infrastructure.
According to the minister, the additional berth will increase the port’s capacity to accommodate larger vessels, reduce cargo congestion and improve operational efficiency as Tanzania positions itself to capture a larger share of regional maritime trade.
Located on Tanzania’s northern coastline, the Port of Tanga has become increasingly important for trade with neighbouring countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Analysts believe expanding the port will complement the Port of Dar es Salaam while providing importers and exporters with an alternative gateway to global markets.
Beyond the port expansion, Mr Omar said the government will continue investing in supporting infrastructure, including improvements to railway services, the expansion of Tanga Airport and the construction of strategic road projects designed to improve the movement of goods and passengers.
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Among the priority projects is the 50-kilometre Tanga–Pangani Road, which is expected to strengthen links between the port and surrounding economic zones. The government also reaffirmed its commitment to completing the Handeni–Singida Road, a strategic transport corridor intended to improve connectivity between the port and Tanzania’s central regions.
Government officials say the integrated transport investments will reduce logistics costs, encourage industrial development and attract more private investment while strengthening Tanzania’s position as a regional trade gateway under the East African Community (EAC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Economists believe the expansion will boost exports, improve import efficiency, create employment opportunities and increase government revenue by enhancing the country’s ability to handle growing cargo volumes. As East African nations continue modernising their ports to compete for regional trade, the government says investment in Tanga Port forms part of its long-term vision of making Tanzania one of Africa’s leading maritime and logistics hubs.
