Dar es Salaam. The African Development Bank (AFDB) has pledged $2.5 billion, worth 6.4 trillion Sherion, towards developing priority infrastructure projects across Tanzania.
A statement issued by the East Africa Community (EAC) on Thursday, February 6th, 2025 and signed by Simon Owaka, Senior Public Relations Officer of the Department of Corporate Communications and Public Relations, will allow funds to unlock the country's roads. It makes clear that it is being directed. , railways, airports.
The move encourages smooth movements of people and goods and stimulates trade within the region, according to the statement.
Mumina Wa-Kyendo, AFDB's Chief Transport Engineer of Tanzania, revealed that more than 70% of the funds will be specially allocated to transporting infrastructure, including roads, rail and airports.
“The projects that benefit from this funding include a Tanzania section of the multinational 400-kilometer Bagamoyo-Pangani-Holoholo/Lunga-shaped Mombasa-Mombasa-Marindi (Kenya) road. Wa-Kyendo said .
The road is part of the East African coastal transport corridor, from Ram in Kenya to Mutwara in Tanzania.
Wa-Kyendo also confirmed that the bank has secured $100 million in the Tanzanian section of the road.
“When completed, the road is expected to reduce the travel distance between Dar es Salaam and Tanga by about 90 kilometres, saving an hour of travel time,” he said.
This allows travelers to bypass the central corridor and instead have access to Tanga through the towns of Bagamoyo and Pangani.
Other important projects to receive AFDB funding include Thenyakanazi – Kabingo – Kasulu – Kumnazi Road in the western region, New Ramasashi Road in the south, Tabora – Kigoma – Uvinza Railway, Musangati and Dodama (MSALA) in Burundi TO) (MSALATO) International Airport,” added Wa-Kyendo.
Wa-Kyendo was speaking at Tanga. There, a team of experts from the Community Secretariat in East Africa, the Ministry of Labor in Tanzania, and the Ministry of Roads and Infrastructure in Kenya concluded the two-day inspection mission. Bagamoyo – Pangani – Tanga Road Stretch.
The inspection team was led by the Infrastructure Director of Robert Achen, the EAC Secretariat.
The Tanzanian delegation was led by Tanzania National Highway Agency (Tan Road) project director, Jafferson Nunko, while the Kenyan team was led by Chimeri Kipchumba, Director of the Department of Roads and Transport.
Also attended was Luka Kimeli from Kenya's Ministry of Roads and Transport during the mission. Moikan Morel of Tanzania's Ministry of Labor. Ms Lucy Mbul, Deputy Director of EAC Infrastructure.
The rest is Ismail Abdallah of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Klefas Macau, Kenyan citizen, cooperation with Affairs and EAC in Tanzania
Peter Bol Deng of the Highways Bureau (Kenha), North Corridor Transport and Transport Cooperative Affairs (NCTTCA), and Faraj Yasin Konnd of the Central Corridor Transport Promotion Agency (CCTTFA).
Furthermore, Wa-Kyendo pointed out that AFDB funding is subject to efficient implementation of infrastructure projects.
He emphasized that providing these projects on time and within budget is important to lift additional funding for future projects.
Wa-Kyendo highlighted the importance of transportation infrastructure in promoting regional trade and integration.
He also called for closer cooperation and knowledge sharing between the Northern and Central Corridor Transportation Authorities and the Transportation Coordination Authority.
“The successful implementation of projects such as the Arsha Namanga Ati River and Arusha Holiri/Tabeta Voy Road was completed within time and budget and should serve as an example of future initiatives,” he said. I said that.
Wa-Kyendo stresses that the exact authority responsible for overseeing the corridors connecting the central corridor and the northern corridor remains unknown, and that the above gaps must be addressed urgently by the status of the EAC partners. I have expressed that I am doing this.
Achieng, representing EAC's executive director Veronica Nduva, said that the main focus of the EAC is the development of 10 multinational corridors that form the East African road network, with a particular emphasis on three main corridors. I've said that.
These include the central corridor (Dar Es Salaam – Morogoro – Dodoma – Singida – Nyakanazi – Rusumo – Kigali – Rubavu – Nyakasanza – Kabanga – Bujumbura – Drc) and Lamu Po rt – South Sudan – Ethiopia Transport (lap set) Includes corridor Masu.
Achieng also said that the EAC is currently conducting a feasibility study and is evaluating the proposed funding options for the Kenya/Uganda multinational Kisumu-Busia/Jinja-Kakira-Malaba Expressway. I have notified the meeting. .
He said that roads and rail development along these corridors is a priority for local blocs, with domestic revenues from partner states and funding from official development support from AFDB and other development partners. I emphasized it.
“The findings of the inspection mission will be presented at the next meeting of the EAC Sector Transport, Communications and Weather Council for further consideration and policy guidance,” Achieng said.
