Kigoma Port increases capacity in cargo handling from 200,000 to 815,285 tonnes after a 100bn/- boost

KIGOMA: CARGO handled at Kigoma Port has surged to 815,285 tonnes in the 2025/26 financial year from more than 200,000 tonnes previously, following government investment of over 100bn/- to improve the port’s capacity.

Manager of Lake Tanganyika Ports, Edward Mabula, said this in Kigoma on Wednesday noting that the investment by the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) aims at creating an enabling environment for handling cargo passing through Kigoma Port.

According to the manager, following the improvements, cargo handled at the port is expected to rise further to two million tonnes, strengthening Kigoma’s role in the Central Corridor.

Speaking at the Central Corridor Transport Stakeholders’ meeting in Kigoma, TPA Deputy Director General Dr Baraka Mdima said the corridor is a key pillar of trade for Tanzania and an important link between the country and neighbouring states in transporting cargo.

Elaborating, he said that TPA has implemented various infrastructure projects to improve cargo-handling efficiency at the country’s ports and strengthen the transport sector.

Additionally, he said that all ports managed by TPA handled 39.898 million tonnes of cargo in the previous financial year, representing a 21.8 per cent increase compared with the preceding year.

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He said the stakeholders’ meeting provided an opportunity to assess achievements made during the previous year and identify ways of improving efficiency across the transport sector.

Kigoma District Commissioner, Dr Rashid Chuachua, representing the Regional Commissioner, said discussions at the meeting should produce solutions to challenges affecting transportation along the Central Corridor.

He said stronger efficiency along the corridor will help improve cargo movement and strengthen its contribution to economic activities in Kigoma and beyond.

The meeting brought together stakeholders in the transport sector to review performance along the Central Corridor and discuss measures to improve cargo transportation and efficiency.