The Government of Tanzania has called on researchers in the transport, logistics and management sectors to ensure that their research is translated into practical and implementable solutions, rather than remaining confined to academic publications, while emphasizing the need to reduce logistics costs and cargo transit times.
The call was made by the Minister for Transport, Professor Makame Mbarawa, while officiating the opening of the Fourth International Conference on Transport, Logistics and Management, held under the theme “Towards Smart, Green, Integrated and Resilient Transport and Logistics for Seamless Connectivity and Trade Facilitation.”
Professor Mbarawa said Tanzania continues to make major investments in transport infrastructure under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, including the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), expansion and modernization of ports, strengthening of Air Tanzania, expansion of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, improvement of the road network, as well as the development of maritime transport and the blue economy.
He said the Government’s objective is not simply to build infrastructure, but to ensure that different transport systems are integrated and operate efficiently as a multimodal transport network.
“We cannot plan roads, railways, transport and airports independently. They must operate as one integrated transport and logistics system,” Professor Mbarawa said.
He said these investments are strengthening Tanzania’s strategic position as a transport and logistics gateway serving Eastern, Central and Southern Africa.
However, Professor Mbarawa stressed that infrastructure development alone is not enough, noting the need to improve operational efficiency, reduce logistics costs and cargo transit times, enhance safety and reliability, and embrace technology to improve transport services.
He said the future of transport will increasingly be shaped by digitalization, artificial intelligence, automation, clean technologies and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Professor Mbarawa added that the implementation of Tanzania Vision 2050 requires efficient transport systems, competitive supply chains and logistics, sustainable urban mobility, and stronger regional and international connectivity.
On research, Professor Mbarawa urged researchers participating in the conference to generate ideas that can help the Government and the private sector address real challenges facing the transport sector.
“Research should not remain confined to academic journals and conference proceedings. It must help government and industry solve real problems, improve policies, reduce transport costs, strengthen safety and guide investment decisions,” he said.
He challenged researchers to provide practical solutions aimed at improving the efficiency of ports and railway systems, reducing logistics costs and cargo transit times, improving transport safety, and developing infrastructure capable of withstanding the effects of climate change.
Meanwhile, Rector of the National Institute of Transport (NIT), Eng. Dr. Prosper Mgaya, said the conference has continued to grow since its establishment, with more than 50 academic papers received this year, of which 30 were selected for presentation.
He said the presentations have been organized into five sub-themes covering smart transport systems and related technologies; safe and affordable transport mobility; logistics and supply chain management; green mobility, transport infrastructure modernization and strategic financing partnerships for sustainable development; as well as cross-cutting issues in transport and logistics.
According to Eng. Dr. Mgaya, the conference has recorded increased international participation, with around 16 international participants, including keynote speakers, taking part this year compared with only two international participants during the inaugural conference in 2023.
He said over the four consecutive years, the conference has continued to bring together researchers, scholars and professionals from different parts of the world, with more than 250 participants attending this year’s edition.
He added that the number of foreign keynote speakers has increased from two during the first conference to five this year, reflecting the growing international interest in the conference.
Eng. Dr. Mgaya said this year’s theme reflects the direction in which the global transport industry is moving, requiring innovative and research-driven solutions capable of building sustainable and resilient transport systems that support economic growth, regional integration and global competitiveness.
He said Tanzania’s continued investment in strategic projects, including the SGR, port modernization, airport expansion, BRT systems and the strengthening of multimodal transport networks, has made innovative research in the transport sector more important than ever.
He noted that these investments are not merely infrastructure milestones but form part of the foundation for achieving the aspirations outlined in Tanzania Vision 2050.
The conference brings together researchers, government institutions, private-sector stakeholders, development partners and international experts to explore ways of developing smarter, greener, more integrated and resilient transport and logistics systems that can facilitate trade, improve connectivity and promote socio-economic development.
Professor Mbarawa said the success of the conference should not be measured only by the number of research papers presented or discussions held, but also by the policies improved, partnerships created, innovations developed and transport challenges resolved.
He said Tanzania needs research that produces measurable results, including lower logistics costs, safer transport systems, more efficient ports and railways, faster movement of people and goods, and ultimately a stronger position for Tanzania as a transport, logistics and trade hub for Eastern, Central and Southern Africa.
Commending to NIT, Professor Mbarawa congratulated the institution for successfully organizing the international conference for four consecutive years, describing the consistency as a significant achievement.
He encouraged NIT and other stakeholders to continue using the conference as a platform for generating practical solutions that can contribute to the development of Tanzania’s transport sector and the wider economy.
The Fourth International Conference on Transport, Logistics and Management has brought together experts, researchers, academics and other stakeholders from Tanzania and abroad to deliberate on how to build smart, green, integrated and resilient transport and logistics systems while strengthening connectivity and facilitating trade.
