ByAlfred Zacharia
Tanzania’s ports, led by the Dar es Salaam port, continue to play a crucial role in serving landlocked and neighboring countries, highlighting the country’s strategic importance in regional transport and trade.
Government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa told journalists on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, that the ports have been facilitating trade for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
“Besides handling cargo destined for Tanzania, our ports serve neighboring countries. In the fiscal year 2024/25, we handled 5,995,295 tonnes for DRC, 3,510,706 tonnes for Zambia, 425,774 tonnes for Burundi, 1,724,370 tonnes for Rwanda, 675,000 tonnes for Malawi, 185,625 tonnes for Uganda, and 61,306 tonnes for Zimbabwe,” Mr. Msigwa said.
He emphasized that the Dar es Salaam port alone handles approximately 95% of Tanzania’s international trade, making it a strategic gateway not only to East and Central African countries but also to destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Australia, and the Americas.
The figures underscore the growing role of Tanzanian ports as regional hubs, reinforcing their contribution to the country’s economy and strengthening trade links across Africa and beyond.