Prime Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba on Saturday, December 20, 2025, laid the foundation stone for the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Lindi Campus in Ngongo, Lindi Region, in a move set to transform the region’s education, agriculture, and economic landscape.
Speaking at the ceremony attended by regional leaders and residents, Dr. Nchemba said the campus will not only expand access to higher education but also serve as a hub for agricultural research, innovation, and skills development.
“This investment strengthens human capacity in critical thinking, problem-solving, and expertise in sectors vital to national development, particularly agriculture,” he said.
The Prime Minister noted that Lindi and other southern regions are endowed with fertile land and human resources suitable for modern agriculture.
“By bringing higher education closer to the people, we are promoting research and innovation that address real challenges faced by farmers and local communities,” he added.
Dr. Nchemba linked the project to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s directive to expand universities to underserved regions.
“The President emphasized that universities should reach regions that previously had no higher education institutions, ensuring equitable access and supporting national development,” he said.
He further explained that the UDSM Lindi Campus will train specialists in agriculture, agribusiness, and research, creating jobs, increasing farmers’ incomes, and boosting local production and value addition.
The government has also committed to improving infrastructure around the campus over the next five years, including road rehabilitation around Nane Nane (Ngongo), construction of six kilometers of tarmac roads within the university, and additional road projects in Kilambo, Mtange–Kinengene–Kibaoni, and Mahakama–Mitwero.
UDSM Vice-Chancellor and former President Dr. Jakaya Kikwete welcomed the initiative, saying the Lindi Campus will complement the university’s Bukoba and Zanzibar campuses.
“We are confident this campus will eventually become a full-fledged university, attracting students and researchers who will contribute to regional and national development,” he said.
He also thanked former Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa for facilitating the acquisition of land for the university’s agricultural research center in Ruangwa.
UDSM Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Bernadeta Killian said the TZS 14.8 billion project, part of the university’s 20-year master plan (2025–2045), includes classrooms, laboratories, administrative offices, training workshops, and hostels for up to 800 students. The campus is expected to welcome its first students in October 2026.
The Lindi Campus is set to be a cornerstone for southern Tanzania’s development, linking education, research, and agriculture.
It will equip the youth with skills, create employment, and strengthen the region’s contribution to national growth, marking a significant milestone in Tanzania’s vision for inclusive development.