Tanzania is expanding the Mtwara Port to secure a larger share of transit trade from landlocked nations, specifically targeting cargo movements from Malawi, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The move is part of a broader strategy by the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to diversify its maritime gateways and reduce the immense pressure on the Port of Dar es Salaam, which handles the vast majority of the country’s import and export traffic.
By upgrading Mtwara’s capacity, the government aims to position the port as the primary entry point for goods moving into the southern and central regions of Africa, leveraging its geographic proximity to the southern borders.
The expansion focuses on improving berth efficiency and increasing the port’s ability to handle larger vessels and higher volumes of bulk and containerised cargo.
Tanzanian officials have identified that many traders in Malawi and Zambia currently rely on ports in Mozambique or the primary Tanzanian hub in Dar es Salaam. The TPA believes that a more efficient Mtwara Port can offer shorter transit times and lower costs for these specific corridors.
Reducing Dependency on Dar es Salaam Port
For years, the Port of Dar es Salaam has struggled with congestion and logistical bottlenecks, which have occasionally slowed the flow of goods to the hinterland. This has created an opening for competing ports in the region, particularly the ports of Beira and Maputo in Mozambique.
The strategic shift toward Mtwara is intended to create a dual-hub system. While Dar es Salaam continues to serve the northern and central corridors, Mtwara is being developed to dominate the southern corridor.
According to reporting by Business Insider Africa, the expansion is not merely about physical infrastructure but also involves improving the rail and road networks connecting Mtwara to its landlocked neighbors.
The DRC, in particular, remains a high-priority target. Given the size of the Congolese market and its limited access to the Atlantic, an efficient Indian Ocean route through Tanzania could significantly alter trade patterns for minerals and consumer goods.
Investment in the port is aligned with the administration of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has prioritised infrastructure development to attract foreign direct investment and stimulate regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
The Tanzanian government has also explored various financing models for these upgrades, including public-private partnerships, to ensure the port can handle modern shipping requirements without overextending public debt.
Beyond cargo volumes, the expansion is expected to stimulate the local economy in the Mtwara region through the creation of logistics hubs, warehousing facilities, and employment opportunities in the maritime sector.
The project also integrates with Tanzania’s efforts to enhance its energy sector, as the Mtwara region is central to the country’s natural gas discoveries. Improved port facilities will facilitate the export of energy equipment and potentially future LNG shipments.
The success of the expansion will depend on the completion of complementary road networks and the ability of the TPA to negotiate competitive transit tariffs with the governments of Zambia, Malawi, and the DRC.
The TPA is expected to release further operational timelines and capacity targets as the physical works progress, with the goal of significantly increasing annual tonnage handled at Mtwara by the end of the current development cycle.
Explore more Business stories and analysis from Business Elites Africa.
