Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Leonard Akwilapo, has called for the adoption of new technologies and innovative approaches to address the growing demand for housing and infrastructure driven by rapid urbanisation and population growth in Tanzania.
Akwilapo made the remarks earlier today September 23, 2026, while officially opening the third edition of the International Building and Construction Exhibition (Builders Expo), where he emphasised the importance of modern construction technologies in supporting Tanzania’s urban development.
He said the country’s growing urban population requires effective land-use planning, sustainable housing development and increased investment in essential infrastructure, including water and sanitation services, roads and other urban facilities.
According to the Minister, the construction sector has a significant role to play in Tanzania’s development agenda, requiring closer cooperation between the Government, private sector, professionals, investors, contractors and manufacturers of construction materials.
Akwilapo also challenged industry stakeholders to consider what technologies Tanzania will need to meet future construction demands, stressing that the question should not simply be whether the country will build, but what kind of construction technologies will be required.
«“An important question before us today is not whether we build, but what kind of construction technologies will be needed during these times,” he said.»
CALL FOR GREATER INDUSTRY COLLABORATION.
Addressing contractors, developers and project managers, Akwilapo encouraged them to use the exhibition as an opportunity to identify suppliers, business partners and products that meet the requirements of their projects.
He said exhibitions such as Builders Expo provide an important platform for stakeholders to exchange knowledge, showcase innovation and technologies, establish partnerships and identify practical solutions to challenges facing the construction and urban development sectors.
Speaking at the event, Duncan Njange, Managing Director of ExpoGroup Tanzania, highlighted the importance of the exhibition as a platform bringing together key players across the construction industry, including manufacturers, contractors, developers, professionals, investors and suppliers of construction technologies and materials.
The Builders Expo also provides local and international companies with an opportunity to showcase their products and services, establish new business relationships and explore potential partnerships and investment opportunities.
For Tanzania, the exhibition provides an important opportunity to promote technology transfer, investment and innovation, while giving industry stakeholders access to modern construction products, technologies and approaches that can improve efficiency and address emerging challenges.
It also creates opportunities for Tanzanian companies to connect with international partners, expand their markets, develop business networks and access technologies that can strengthen the competitiveness of the country’s construction sector.
The exhibition is taking place in Dar es Salaam from September 23 to 25, 2026, bringing together stakeholders from Tanzania and beyond.
Overall, the Builders Expo seeks to go beyond showcasing construction products by creating a platform that connects technology, capital, expertise, business and investment, while providing an avenue for stakeholders to explore solutions to Tanzania’s growing demand for housing, buildings and modern urban infrastructure.