Ranked 5th, transport sector contributes 7.5 percent of Tanzania’s GDP

DODOMA: THE Minister for Transport, Professor Makame Mbarawa, has said that the transport sector has continued to play a key role in driving Tanzania’s economy after contributing 7.5 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024.

Professor Mbarawa made the remarks today,May 13, 2026, while presenting the Ministry of Transport’s budget in Parliament in Dodoma. He stated that the sector ranked fifth among 17 economic sectors in terms of its contribution to the national economy.

He said the transport sector has continued to boost government revenue through various transport services, particularly the ports sector. According to him, port taxes and levies accounted for more than 40 percent of all revenues collected by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) between the 2020/21 and 2024/25 financial years.

Professor Mbarawa also noted that the sector has continued to contribute to foreign exchange earnings through transport and port services. Quoting data from the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), he said transport service exports reached 2.79bn US dollars in 2025, compared to 2.35bn US dollars in 2024.

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In addition, he said the transport sector has continued to create employment opportunities for Tanzanians through the implementation of various development projects and the provision of transport services, generating more than 198,000 jobs across the country.

Professor Mbarawa said the achievements demonstrate the transport sector’s significant contribution to strengthening the economy, increasing government revenue and expanding employment opportunities for citizens.