On 31 July 2025, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, officially launched the Kwala Dry Port and inaugurated the establishment of a modern freight train service between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma.
The grand ceremony, held in Kwala in the Coast Region, also marked the receipt of 50 new and 20 refurbished metre-gauge railway wagons, as well as the laying of the foundation stone for the associated Industrial Park.
President Samia emphasised that the project reflects the commitment of the Sixth Phase Government to drive economic growth through modern infrastructure and to enhance both domestic and international trade.
She noted that the Kwala Dry Port and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) freight service are expected to ease congestion at the port and on the roads, reduce transportation costs, improve the competitiveness of Dar es Salaam Port, and unlock employment and business opportunities for Tanzanians.
The President also commended the Ministry of Transport, the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC), the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), and all stakeholders involved in the implementation of these strategic projects. She reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to continued investment in key infrastructure to position Tanzania as a regional business hub for East and Central Africa.
Encouraging broader participation, the President called on the private sector to leverage the emerging opportunities across cargo transportation, storage, and the operation of services linked to ports, railways, and industrial development.
Minister for Transport, Prof. Makame Mbarawa, highlighted the significance of the launch as a key milestone in fulfilling the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Manifesto and the development vision of the Sixth Phase Government.
He further announced that the Government has allocated TZS 2.62 trillion for the 2025/26 financial year to support the construction and development of transport infrastructure. Of this, TZS 1.51 trillion is specifically earmarked for railway development, underscoring the Government’s commitment to advancing the country’s industrial economy.
