The government is stepping up efforts to accelerate the implementation of road and bridge projects by improving access to financing and exploring new ways of funding major infrastructure investments.
Finance Minister Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar held talks with Works Minister Abdallah Ulega and technical officials from the Ministry of Works in Dodoma to review measures for ensuring that funds reach infrastructure projects on time and that implementation is not slowed by financing constraints.
The discussions come amid government reforms aimed at improving the management and flow of development funds. Under the new arrangement, 70 per cent of revenue collected through special funds will be channelled directly to the respective funds instead of passing through the Treasury.
In July alone, the government disbursed TZS 325 billion to various development funds, including TZS 76 billion to the Road Fund.
The government says the arrangement will continue throughout the financial year, with the aim of ensuring that infrastructure projects receive funding more consistently and are completed within planned timelines.
The move could be significant for road users, businesses and communities that depend on reliable transport networks.
Delays in road and bridge projects can increase travel times, raise transport costs and affect the movement of people and goods.
The two ministers also examined opportunities for mobilising additional financing from the financial sector, including the possible use of infrastructure bonds to support large-scale projects.
Infrastructure bonds could allow the government to raise substantial funding upfront for strategic projects rather than waiting for domestic revenues to accumulate gradually.
Such financing, however, would require careful management to ensure that projects deliver value for money and that public debt remains sustainable.
The government’s broader objective is to strengthen its capacity to deliver strategic infrastructure while ensuring that public resources are used efficiently and transparently.
For citizens, the key measure of the initiative will be whether improved financing translates into faster completion of projects, better roads and bridges, safer travel and more efficient movement of goods across the country.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Works Minister Godfrey Kasekenya, Finance Deputy Permanent Secretaries Nsubili Joshua and Elijah Mwandumba, Works Deputy Permanent Secretary Dr Charles Msonde, PPP Centre Commissioner David Kafulila and other senior officials from the two ministries and their institutions.
