By Charles Mkoka
Tanzania’s government-led road upgrade drive in Dar es Salaam is gaining momentum, with several key routes nearing completion under a major urban infrastructure programme.
The works are part of the Dar es Salaam Metropolitan Development Project Phase Two (DMDP2), which aims to ease congestion and improve connectivity across the city through the construction of roads in multiple municipalities.
In the Ubungo district, 23 roads covering 52.37 kilometres are under construction, including the 9.9-kilometre Msumi road valued at 19 billion Tanzanian shillings.
Officials say visible progress on the ground is already improving access in previously hard-to-reach areas, particularly during the rainy season, raising optimism among residents and local leaders.
Engineer Emmanuel Mwandumbia, speaking on behalf of TARURA, Dar es Salaam Regional Manager Engineer Daudi Sigala, said the Msumi project has reached 66% completion, with sections already paved and a key bridge restored, allowing traffic to pass where movement was once severely restricted.
“The relocation of utilities and engagement with communities took longer than expected, which affected the pace of implementation,” he said, referring to delays involving water and electricity infrastructure and negotiations with residents affected by the road expansion.
The contractor has requested a four-month extension, which, if approved, would move the completion date from April to August 2026.
A second package covering the Ndogo Shija and Goba–Wakolea roads, spanning more than 11 kilometres, is also advancing, with works at 40% completion as contractors move to accelerate delivery.
Deputy Permanent Secretary for Infrastructure in the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI), Engineer Rogatus Matavila, said the government was focused on ensuring the projects are completed as soon as possible to deliver benefits to communities.
“Add more resources and work day and night. People are still facing challenges accessing these areas,” Matavila said during an inspection.
Contractors said they were mobilising additional personnel and equipment to close the gap and meet the August 2026 target.
Local leaders said the impact of the works is already being felt. “This road used to be impassable. Residents had to take long detours and faced serious difficulties,” said one community leader, adding that the new infrastructure had significantly improved mobility.
Matavila also highlighted the need to protect the new infrastructure, warning that activities such as illegal sand mining and poor waste management could undermine roads and bridges if not controlled.
“Uncontrolled activities along riverbanks can weaken foundations and damage infrastructure,” he said, adding that the government is implementing measures such as river training and reinforcement works to safeguard the projects.
Tanzania’s rural and urban roads agency, Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency, manages a network of about 144,700 kilometres, most of it unpaved. Officials say continued investment in urban roads is critical to supporting economic growth and improving transport in rapidly expanding cities like Dar es Salaam.
