Eight nations see fortunes in Ubungo  commercial, logistics hub

DAR ES SALLAM: Tanzania has launched a major trade infrastructure project, the East Africa Commercial and Logistics Centre (EACLC) in Ubungo, Dar es Salaam.

Besides Tanzania, other beneficiaries of the newly launched business and logistics centre are the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda, the countries that also use the Dar es Salaam Port and its connected road network.

The Centre, valued at 282.7bn/- (about 110m US Dollars), is designed to enhance regional commerce and support industrial growth in East Africa.

Speaking at the launch today, August 1, 2025, Director General of the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA), Mr. Gilead Teri, said the centre is expected to generate over 15,000 direct jobs and more than 50,000 indirect jobs, with a strong focus on empowering youth and women.

“This is a strategic project that demonstrates the government’s commitment to driving investment-led growth and creating large-scale employment,” said Mr. Teri.

The centre spans more than 75,000 square metres and features 2,060 commercial units for diverse businesses, alongside warehousing and logistics facilities.

It is expected to serve as a regional trade gateway, linking Tanzania with land-linked countries such as Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Zambia,  the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zimbabwe and Malawi. Construction began in May 2023, generating more than 2,000 jobs during the building phase.

The project is one of the first major developments to be overseen by TISEZA, which was formally established on July 1, 2025, following the passage of the Investment and Special Economic Zones Act No. 6. Mr. Teri emphasised that the launch of EACLC marks a new era in Tanzania’s efforts to attract foreign direct investment and enhance the country’s role in regional supply chains.

“Tanzania is now better positioned to compete as an investment destination. Through this Centre, we are supporting local manufacturing, promoting value addition, and improving the logistics backbone of the economy,” he added.

The project aligns with Tanzania’s broader national development agenda and supports implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by strengthening infrastructure for cross-border trade.