President Samia Suluhu Hassan is set to inaugurate the East Africa Commercial Logistics Centre (EACLC) on August 1, 2025, marking a major milestone in Tanzania’s efforts to strengthen its role as a regional trade and investment hub.
The state-of-the-art centre, located in Ubungo, Dar es Salaam, is part of the government’s strategic plan to expand economic opportunities, improve logistics infrastructure, and attract both local and foreign investment.
The project was developed through a public-private partnership between the Government of Tanzania via the Ubungo Municipal Council and a Chinese investor.
Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Albert Chalamila, told journalists that the facility features more than 2,000 business units and has been developed at a cost exceeding $100 million.
It sits on the site previously occupied by the intercity bus terminal, which has since been relocated to Mbezi.
“This is a visionary investment by the Sixth-Phase Government under President Samia’s leadership. We call on all Tanzanians particularly those who have secured business spaces and those looking for new opportunities to attend the launch and witness firsthand the transformation,” said Chalamila.
He assured that the involvement of foreign investors in the project is not intended to edge out local entrepreneurs but to create a win-win partnership that ensures Tanzanians benefit from knowledge transfer, job creation, and a widened market.
RC Chalamila emphasized that the EACLC is expected to become a key economic engine, connecting local traders with East African markets and offering integrated services in trade, transportation, and logistics.
In addition to the upcoming inauguration, he encouraged Tanzanians to leverage the influx of visitors during the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which kicks off on August 2 at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
“The region has arranged 100 buses per district to facilitate attendance at the CHAN opening. This is a golden opportunity for informal and formal traders, hoteliers, boda-boda and bajaji operators to grow their income,” he said.
Dar es Salaam Region, through its Trade Department, has also organized a special exhibition for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) around the stadium to ensure that local businesses tap into the economic momentum brought by CHAN and the upcoming AFCON tournaments.
Chalamila called on the public to actively participate in these events, saying the back-to-back hosting of major tournaments and the launch of the EACLC offers unparalleled opportunities for entrepreneurship and national development.
“The synergy between infrastructure development and international events will spur trade, tourism, and services. Let’s use these platforms to elevate our economy,” he concluded.
The inauguration of the EACLC and hosting of CHAN 2024 reinforce President Samia’s commitment to transforming Tanzania into a competitive trade and logistics powerhouse in the region.