The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure has urged the Ministry of Works to prioritise and strengthen local contractors, describing the move as critical to improving project delivery and boosting Tanzania’s economic growth.
The committee’s chairperson, Mr Selemani Kakoso, made the call on January 21, 2026, in Dodoma after the committee received a presentation from the Ministry of Works outlining its institutional structure, mandate, and the policies and laws guiding its operations. The briefing was presented by the Minister for Works, Mr Abdallah Ulega.
Mr Kakoso said creating a conducive environment for local contractors would enhance their capacity to implement large-scale infrastructure projects.
He emphasised the need to expand their access to projects and ensure timely payments, noting that such measures would improve efficiency in the construction sector and support the broader economy.
He also called on the ministry to scale up the use of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), arguing that the model would expand the ministry’s implementation capacity and unlock more opportunities for infrastructure development.
Presenting the ministry’s five-year performance, Mr Ulega told the committee that the national road network had expanded from 36,361.95 kilometres in 2020 to 37,435.04 kilometres in 2025, while roads covering 5,769.74 kilometres are currently under construction or at various stages of implementation.
He said the ministry had completed eight major bridges, including the J.P. Magufuli Bridge in Mwanza, Tanzanite Bridge in Dar es Salaam, Msingi Bridge in Singida, Wami Bridge in the Coast Region, Kitengule Bridge in Kagera, Ruhuhu Bridge in Ruvuma, Kiyegeya Bridge in Morogoro, and Gerezani Bridge in Dar es Salaam.
According to Mr Ulega, the ministry is also implementing projects aimed at easing traffic congestion in major urban centres.
These include the construction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Phases Three and Five, the 6.3-kilometre inner ring road in Dodoma, the 7.3-kilometre Iringa bypass road, and the completion of the 112.3-kilometre outer ring road around Dodoma City.
Other ongoing projects include the expansion of the Uyole–Ifisi–Songwe Airport road (29 kilometres), the Arusha–Holili road with sections at Tengeru–Usa River and Maili Sita–Kiboroloni (each 11.7 kilometres), as well as the construction of the 560-metre Kikafu Bridge.
The committee underscored that sustained investment in local contractors is essential to ensuring value for money in public infrastructure projects and strengthening Tanzania’s construction industry.