MWANZA: Tanzania has stepped up investment in inland water transport, unveiling new vessels and port upgrades aimed at strengthening trade links across East and Central Africa, a senior government official said on Sunday.
Government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa said the initiatives form part of a broader infrastructure push to support economic growth and improve connectivity, particularly around Lake Victoria, one of the region’s key commercial corridors.
Speaking aboard the newly built MV Mwanza, a passenger and cargo vessel launched by the government, Msigwa said the ship symbolises a shift toward modernised maritime transport.
“This is not just a vessel but part of a wider effort to improve transport efficiency and unlock economic potential,” he said.
The ship can carry up to 1,200 passengers and 400 tonnes of cargo, including vehicles. Authorities say its construction involved more than 200 local workers, contributing to skills development in shipbuilding.
Tanzania has invested over one trillion shillings (about $390 million) in vessels, port infrastructure and rehabilitation of ageing ships, according to the government.
Mwanza region, the country’s second-largest economic hub after Dar es Salaam, contributes about 7.2% to gross domestic product and serves as a gateway for trade with neighbouring countries including Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Officials say recent infrastructure projects — including a major bridge across Lake Victoria and the ongoing standard gauge railway (SGR) linking Mwanza to inland and coastal trade routes — are already reducing transport times and costs.
Tanzania launches Lake Tanganyika cargo ships to boost regional trade
Further investments are planned to expand Mwanza North Port and develop new cargo vessels to improve freight capacity on Lake Victoria. Authorities are also rehabilitating existing ships such as MV Umoja, while work continues on additional vessels to support regional trade.
Beyond Lake Victoria, similar projects are underway on Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa, where the government is upgrading ports and commissioning new cargo ships to improve cross-border logistics.
A Chinese-backed logistics firm, Gold Voyage Logistics, is constructing four cargo vessels at Karema Port on Lake Tanganyika to serve trade routes linking Tanzania with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Burundi.
Separately, the rehabilitation of MV Liemba, a historic vessel operating on Lake Tanganyika, is more than halfway complete, with upgrades expected to improve safety and efficiency.
The government has also signed agreements with a Turkish shipbuilder to construct additional cargo vessels and develop a domestic shipyard, in a move aimed at boosting local maritime capacity.
Analysts say improved inland shipping could lower transport costs for bulk goods such as minerals and agricultural produce, while easing pressure on road networks.
Msigwa said the projects would also create jobs and enhance safety through new maritime rescue systems.
“We are positioning Tanzania as a regional transport hub,” he said.
