The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced a significant investment of US$2.5 billion toward the development of key infrastructure projects in Tanzania. This funding is aimed at enhancing the country’s transport network, with more than 70% allocated specifically to the improvement of roads, railways, and airports.
Eng. Mumina Wa-Kyendo, the Chief Transport Engineer at the AfDB Tanzania Country Office in Dar es Salaam, revealed that the funding would support several major projects, including the Tanzanian section of the multinational Tanzania/Kenya 400-kilometer road, which is currently under construction. This road forms part of the Coastal Transport Corridor of East Africa, linking Lamu in Kenya to Mtwara in Tanzania.
“The Tanzanian stretch of the Bagamoyo-Pangani-Tanga-Horohoro/Lunga Lunga-Mombasa-Malindi road is a critical project,” Wa-Kyendo said. “Once completed, it will reduce the travel distance between Dar es Salaam and Tanga by approximately 90 kilometers, saving over one hour of travel time.”
In addition to the road improvements, the AfDB has allocated US$100 million specifically for the Tanzanian section of the road. Other priority projects include the Nyakanazi-Kabingo-Kasulu-Kumnazi road in western Tanzania, the Mawala-Masasi road in the south, and the Tabora-Kigoma-Uvinza railway, which will eventually extend to Musongati in Burundi. The funding will also support the construction of the Dodoma (Msalato) International Airport.
The announcement came at the conclusion of a two-day inspection mission of the Bagamoyo-Pangani-Tanga road section, attended by experts from the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat, Tanzania’s Ministry of Works and Transport, Kenya’s Ministry of Roads and Infrastructure, as well as officials from the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA).
Led by Eng. Robert Achieng, Director of Infrastructure at the EAC Secretariat, the team also included representatives from both governments and regional transit organizations. The mission focused on monitoring the progress of the road project and ensuring its efficient implementation.
Wa-Kyendo emphasized that AfDB’s funding is contingent on the effective execution of these infrastructure projects, which are vital to enhancing regional trade and integration. He highlighted successful examples, such as the Arusha-Namanga-Athi River and Arusha-Holili/Taveta-Voi roads, which were completed on time and within budget.
“The development of transport infrastructure is essential for regional trade and cooperation,” Wa-Kyendo stated. “We need to ensure that transport works seamlessly across borders, with roads and railways built to the highest standards.”
Eng. Achieng, who spoke on behalf of EAC Secretary General Hon. Veronica M. Nduva, outlined the EAC’s focus on developing key multinational corridors in the region, including the Central Corridor (Dar es Salaam-Morogoro-Dodoma-Kigoma), the Northern Corridor (Mombasa-Nairobi-Kigali-Juba), and the LAPSSET corridor linking Lamu, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.
The EAC is also conducting a feasibility study for a multinational expressway between Kenya and Uganda, which will improve the flow of goods and people along the Northern Corridor.
Achieng also noted that the development of these transport networks is being funded through both national revenues and external development assistance from the AfDB and other partners.
The inspection mission’s findings will be presented at the next meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council of Transport, Communications, and Meteorology for further policy discussions.
Additional officials present at the inspection mission included Eng. Luka Kimeli of the Ministry of Roads and Transport in Kenya, Eng. Moikan Mollel of Tanzania’s Ministry of Works, and various representatives from the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority and the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency.
