Tanzania expands port infrastructure to boost regional trade

Tanzania is undergoing significant maritime infrastructure expansion, enhancing its role as a primary trade gateway for East and Central Africa. In Dar es Salaam, DP World’s Terminal 1 has seen a substantial increase in capacity, with monthly container volumes rising from 13,779 TEUs in May 2024 to a record 46,582 TEUs in July 2026. The Port of Dar es Salaam handles over 90% of Tanzania’s cargo and serves landlocked neighbors including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and Malawi.

To support this growth, Egypt-based EDECS Group has secured a contract to redesign and rebuild seven cargo and material handling yards at Terminal 1, covering 90,000 square meters. The project includes upgraded utilities, digital yard management infrastructure, and improved fire protection and lighting systems.

Simultaneously, investment in Mtwara Port is diversifying the region's economic activities. Traditionally reliant on seasonal agricultural goods like cashews and groundnuts, the port now handles fuel, coal, cement, and heavy-duty vehicles. The Tanzania Ports Authority is expanding the facility, increasing berths and deepening waters to accommodate larger vessels. A new 300-meter berth at Kisiwa Mpangawe/Kisiwa Mgao is currently 44% complete and is expected to be finished next year, further strengthening the Southern Corridor link to Malawi.