All eyes on Mtumba City launch today

DODOMA: A DREAM that seemed out of reach for decades is set to become a defining milestone in Tanzania’s history today, when President Samia Suluhu Hassan launches the Mtumba Government City buildings and newly paved tarmac roads in Dodoma.

The launch marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to establish Dodoma as a modern administrative capital, bringing government ministries and institutions together in a purpose-built city designed to improve coordination, efficiency and public service delivery.

The strategic project, valued at approximately 700bn/-, represents more than government offices and road infrastructure. It is an investment in more efficient governance, the development of the capital and the country’s long-term economic ambitions.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities, Professor Palamagamba Kabudi, said bringing ministries and institutions together in one location would simplify the coordination of government activities and improve communication between public institutions.

He said the arrangement would also facilitate service delivery and the implementation of government responsibilities.

“Furthermore, it reduces the challenges of scattered government offices in various locations and thus increases efficiency in the performance of the government,” Prof Kabudi said.

The project is expected to address some of the administrative challenges associated with government offices operating from different locations, while providing modern working environments for public servants.

Beyond its administrative role, Mtumba Government City is also attracting interest from other African countries seeking to learn from Tanzania’s experience in developing a centralised government complex.

Chief Government Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Mr Gerson Msigwa, said delegates from more than 10 African countries had visited the site to learn how they could replicate the project in their respective countries.

According to Mr Msigwa, the Government City has also emerged as an attraction for visitors to Dodoma, which is experiencing rapid growth as the country’s administrative capital.

He described the project as not only a convenient place for government operations and public services but also a potential tourism attraction.

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“Many visitors to Dodoma prefer travelling by Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) trains and make a point of visiting Mtumba Government City upon arrival,” he told journalists recently.

Mr Msigwa assured Tanzanians that the complex had been built to modern standards and designed to accommodate the country’s current and future needs.

The launch will also feature the newly paved tarmac roads, which are expected to improve accessibility, strengthen transport connections and facilitate movement within the Government City.

The road infrastructure is an important component of the development, linking different sections of the complex and improving access to government offices and services.

The project reflects the government’s continued emphasis on completing strategic infrastructure developments intended to modernise public administration and improve service delivery.

Tanzania’s decision to relocate its capital from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma dates back to 1973, but implementation took several decades before gaining renewed momentum under the Fifth Phase Government led by the late President John Magufuli.

In 2016, the government announced a renewed push to relocate government operations to Dodoma, marking a significant step towards fulfilling the longstanding plan.

The relocation was implemented in phases, with the construction of initial ministry buildings at Mtumba Government City forming part of the preparations for moving government offices to the capital.

The development has since become a central component of Dodoma’s transformation, as the city continues to expand its administrative, commercial and infrastructure capacity.

The launch is therefore expected to highlight the progress made in establishing a modern government centre while drawing attention to the wider ambition of positioning Dodoma as an efficient and well-planned capital.