World Bank considers supporting the 2nd phase of Dar Port improvement after good performance
DAR ES SALAAM: THE World Bank is considering supporting the second phase of improvements at the Port of Dar es Salaam, following significant gains in efficiency under the first phase of the project funded through a 345m US dollar concessional loan.
World Bank Regional Vice-President for Eastern and Southern Africa, Dr Ndiame Diop revealed this during his visit to the Port of Dar es Salaam, where he inspected improvements implemented under the first phase of the project, accompanied by his host, the Minister for Finance, Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar.
Speaking during the inspection, Mr Diop said the institution was assessing the possibility of participating in the second phase as part of efforts to strengthen trade and transport infrastructure and accelerate economic growth across East Africa.
Additionally, he commended the progress made, saying the improvements had significantly enhanced port efficiency and strengthened Dar es Salaam’s position as a key gateway for Tanzania and neighbouring landlocked countries.
“The first phase of the port improvement project has brought major changes in efficiency, helping facilitate trade and cargo transportation for Tanzania and neighbouring countries that use Dar es Salaam as a gateway for importing and exporting goods,” he said.
Director General of the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), Plasduce Mbossa, thanked the World Bank for its financial and technical support, saying the project had contributed to improved services, efficiency and competitiveness at the port.
He said, implementation of the project has reached 85 per cent, with the investment helping expand the port’s cargo handling capacity from 14 million tonnes in 2015/16, before the project began, to 32.8 million tonnes in 2025/26.
The improvements have also focused on upgrading infrastructure and service delivery systems to reduce vessel turnaround time, speed up cargo loading and unloading, and create a more efficient environment for trade.
Dr Diop said the World Bank would continue working with Tanzania to explore opportunities for further investment in transport infrastructure, noting that efficient ports were critical to facilitating regional trade and strengthening economic integration.
