The Government of Tanzania has said it is continuing with preparations for the rapid expansion of urban areas on city outskirts as part of efforts to address challenges linked to fast urban growth, including unemployment and informal settlements.
Speaking during a high-level dialogue held on May 19, 2026 in Azerbaijan, which formed part of the World Urban Forum, the Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), Prof. Riziki Shemdoe, said the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan has placed strong emphasis on early planning for the expansion of cities and towns to ensure sustainable urban development.
Prof. Shemdoe was responding to questions on what measures Tanzania has taken to prepare for rapid urban expansion on city peripheries, especially in addressing the growing pressure on employment opportunities and urban services.
He explained that Tanzania is experiencing fast growth in major urban centres, including Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Mwanza, Mbeya and Arusha, where population increase and economic activity are expanding at a high speed.
He noted that without proper planning, such expansion can easily result in the rise of informal settlements and unemployment challenges.
He stressed that the government is therefore prioritising early planning and preparation of peripheral urban areas before expansion takes place.
According to him, this approach is intended to ensure that new settlements are well integrated into national development plans and are supported by essential infrastructure.
Prof. Shemdoe warned that unplanned urban expansion often leads to settlements that lack access to clean water, reliable electricity, proper sanitation systems and basic environmental management services.
He said correcting such deficiencies after settlements have already developed is significantly more expensive for the government compared to investing in advance planning.
He added that forward-looking urban planning reduces long-term public expenditure on infrastructure development and improves the quality of life for citizens.
He further noted that well-planned urban expansion also creates opportunities for employment, especially for young people, by encouraging investment and economic activities in newly developed areas.
The minister said the issues discussed during the dialogue, including urban unemployment, insufficient preparation for rapid urban expansion on city outskirts, and uneven development of smaller towns, are not only national concerns but also global challenges shared by many rapidly urbanising countries.
He pointed out that these challenges have been given priority in Tanzania’s long-term development vision, the Tanzania Development Vision 2050, which focuses on building inclusive, sustainable and well-planned cities that can support economic transformation.
The discussions at the World Urban Forum brought together global leaders, urban planners and development experts to exchange experiences on how to manage rapid urbanisation while ensuring sustainable development.
World Urban Forum provided a platform for countries to share policies and strategies aimed at improving urban resilience and addressing the pressures of growing cities.
Prof. Shemdoe reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to working with international partners and stakeholders in improving urban planning systems, strengthening local government capacity, and ensuring that urban growth becomes an opportunity for development rather than a source of social and economic challenges.
He concluded that with proper planning and timely investment in infrastructure, Tanzania’s rapidly growing cities can become engines of inclusive economic growth, innovation and job creation for present and future generations.
