The construction of a new passenger jetty at Kigoma Port is expected to improve water transport, strengthen regional trade and open up new economic opportunities for communities around Lake Tanganyika.
Transport Minister Prof Makame Mbarawa said the TZS 53 billion project would provide a major boost to the movement of passengers and cargo while improving safety and efficiency at one of Tanzania’s strategic transport gateways.
Prof Mbarawa made the remarks during an inspection of the project, which is being implemented through cooperation between the Tanzanian and Japanese governments under a grant arrangement. Construction began in June 2025.
The project is expected to benefit not only Kigoma but also Katavi and Rukwa regions, while strengthening commercial links with neighbouring countries around the Great Lakes region.
“This project is part of our broader effort to build ships, rehabilitate ports and develop railway infrastructure so that different transport systems are connected and contribute to economic growth,” Prof Mbarawa said.
The new jetty will measure 130 metres long and 50 metres wide, while the project also includes construction of a 481-metre access road connecting the Regional Commissioner’s Office to the jetty.
For residents and businesses, the infrastructure could translate into more reliable passenger services, safer cargo handling and better connections between producers, traders and markets.
Prof Mbarawa said the government would continue monitoring transport projects closely to ensure they deliver value to citizens and strengthen Kigoma’s role as a gateway for trade in the Lake Tanganyika and Great Lakes regions.
Lake Tanganyika Ports Manager Ernest Mabula said completion of the jetty would improve the efficiency and safety of water transport and increase the capacity to handle passengers and cargo.
He said better port infrastructure would also support the growth of trade and other economic activities along the Lake Tanganyika corridor.
Representing the Kigoma Regional Commissioner, Dr Rashid Chuachua welcomed the investment, saying the project would create a stronger platform for economic growth, expand business opportunities and improve transport services for residents.
The project comes at a time when improved connectivity is increasingly important to businesses and communities that depend on Lake Tanganyika for access to markets and movement of goods and people.
Once completed, the jetty is expected to become an important link in Tanzania’s wider transport network, helping connect water transport with roads and railways while giving Kigoma a stronger role in regional commerce.
