Mtwara gains a stronghold in salt production, business

MTWARA: MTWARA Region is steadily emerging as a key investment destination in Tanzania’s salt industry, driven by favourable coastal conditions for salt production, improved business conditions and rising salt output estimated at about 25 tonnes per single evaporation pond in some areas.

The development has opened up new economic opportunities for salt producers through increased production, job creation, and the expansion of salt farms.

Speaking in a special interview, Mtwara Resident Mines Officer Winnifrida Mrema said the salt sector in the region continues to record rapid growth following improvements in production activities and the adoption of modern salt processing technologies.

She said the improvements are aimed at enhancing the quality of salt for domestic, agricultural, and industrial applications while at the same time creating employment opportunities for communities surrounding the salt farms.

“Mtwara has favourable conditions for salt production, and the government continues to encourage investment in the sector in order to increase income at household level and the nation at large,” said Mrema.

At Mnete Village in Nalingu Ward, Mtwara District Council, salt farm supervisor Salum Amani said the farms are owned by Zamda Khatibu and operate under two Primary Mining Licences (PMLs) for salt, with 24 evaporation ponds currently used for production.

He explained that workers are currently engaged in cleaning the ponds following the rainy season to allow saline water to enter in preparation for the next production cycle.

According to Amani, salt production largely depends on weather conditions. During long periods of intense sunshine, salt crystallisation is completed within 30 days, while cooler weather may extend the process to up to 40 days.

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“Normally, four ponds produce approximately 90 tonnes of salt in one season, while these activities provide employment for nine workers in this area,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Mtwara Regional Salt Producers Association and Chairperson of the Salt Committee under FEMATA, Khalfan Nassoro, said the reduction of annual rent fees from 45,000/- to 20,000/- has enabled producers to expand their production areas.

He noted that the move has boosted confidence among investors and small-scale producers, adding that the favourable investment environment positions Mtwara as one of the country’s leading salt production hubs.

Nassoro further said the continued growth of the sector could stimulate the establishment of salt value-addition industries, thereby increasing the sector’s contribution to the national economy.