The President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, is scheduled tomorrow, March 3, 2026, to lay the foundation stone for the construction of 15 fuel storage tanks worth TZS 678.6 billion at Kigamboni Mnadani in Dar es Salaam.
Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam on March 2, 2026, the Minister of Transport Makame Mbarawa said the project forms a key part of the expansion and modernization plan for the Port of Dar es Salaam, aiming to improve efficiency, competitiveness in the East African region, and boost its contribution to the national economy.
Prof. Mbarawa explained that the 15 tanks to be inaugurated tomorrow will be allocated as follows where among the 15 tanks ,6 tanks for petrol storage, 5 tanks for diesel, 3 tanks for jet fuel, and 1 reserve tank for interface and emergency purposes.
The tanks will provide a total storage capacity of 378,000 cubic meters of fuel, reducing the average berthing time of oil tankers from 10 days to just 3 days.
He described the initiative as historic, noting that it will reduce shipping costs, speed up fuel availability, attract both domestic and foreign investors, and enhance national energy security.
The project offers several strategic benefits including increasing port efficiency, providing emergency fuel reserves, expanding the port’s annual handling capacity to 60 million tons, and integrating cargo transport with the modern Standard Gauge Railway, thereby reducing reliance on road transport and enhancing the safety and efficiency of goods movement within and outside the country.
Also Prof. Mbarawa noted that from July to December 2025, the Port of Dar es Salaam handled 19.9 million tons of cargo, while the government aims to reach 40 million tons by the 2025/26 fiscal year.
Finally, the Minister invited residents of Dar es Salaam and surrounding regions to witness the historic event, emphasizing that the project is part of a broader effort to strengthen national transport and energy infrastructure.
He stressed that the development will position the Port of Dar es Salaam as a major hub for trade, logistics, and energy in East Africa.