Road upgrade in Lake Zone drives connectivity, trade growth

KAHAMA: A KEY road linking Tanzania’s mining corridor in the Lake Zone is nearing a major milestone, with officials and residents saying the upgrade could significantly improve transport, trade and daily life in the region.

The 73-kilometre Kahama– Bulyanhulu Junction–Kakola Road has reached the blacktop stage, marking progress in efforts to address long-standing transport challenges in the area.

The project is being implemented by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). For years, the route between Kahama and the Bulyanhulu mining area has been described as unreliable, with conditions varying sharply between seasons.

Dust and poor visibility during dry periods, combined with near impassability in the rainy season, have disrupted both economic activity and daily movement.

Project supervisor Marco Bee said construction is advancing steadily despite weather-related disruptions.

“We are currently at 65 per cent completion. The contractor is performing well, bolstered by the fact that Barrick is ensuring funds are released exactly when needed. We are on track to meet our 27-month deadline,” he said.

The project, valued at 101.2bn/-, is funded by Barrick Bulyanhulu and North Mara. Stakeholders say it reflects broader efforts to improve infrastructure in areas where economic activity has expanded but transport networks have lagged behind Upgrading the road to a bitumen standard is expected to improve the movement of goods and people by providing a more reliable, all-weather route.

Officials say the project highlights cooperation between the private sector and government in addressing infrastructure gaps, particularly in economically strategic regions.

The road is considered an important route within Shinyanga Region and is expected to support the role of Kahama Municipal Council as a logistics centre.

Kahama serves as a transit point for cargo moving from Tanzania’s ports to neighbouring countries, including Rwanda and Uganda.

Improvements to the road are expected to reduce delays and improve the flow of goods along the corridor. While officials emphasise logistics and regional connectivity, residents along the route describe the project in terms of its immediate impact on daily life.

He said: “For years, this road was our biggest hurdle. It damaged our vehicles and pushed up the price of basic goods because it took forever to get supplies from Kahama. Seeing the tarmac go down feels like economic liberation. This isn’t just for us; it’s for our children.”

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Residents say poor road conditions have affected the cost and availability of goods, highlighting the link between infrastructure and local economic conditions.

Drivers who regularly use the route also pointed to the financial strain caused by vehicle maintenance and delays. Mr Samwel Petro, a driver who has operated along the road for years, said poor conditions reduced earnings.

“The wear and tear on vehicles often ate up any profit a driver could hope to make,” he said. He added: “Once this is finished, the losses will end. We expect more trade, more travel, and, importantly, more jobs for our youth as the area becomes easier to reach.”

As construction progresses, expectations are rising that the improved road will support broader economic activity beyond mining.

The corridor links several regions, including Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Kagera and Kigoma, and is seen as important for the movement of goods and people. Stakeholders say improved transport could benefit sectors such as agriculture, forestry and tourism, which depend on reliable infrastructure to access markets and services.

The project is also viewed as part of wider efforts to improve connectivity within Tanzania and support regional trade. For many in the Lake Zone, the road upgrade represents both a practical improvement and a broader shift in infrastructure development.

While construction is ongoing, visible progress has already begun to change perceptions of connectivity and accessibility in the region. Residents, drivers and officials say the project marks a turning point, with expectations that completion will bring lasting improvements to mobility and economic activity.

As work continues, the Kahama–Bulyanhulu road is emerging as a key link in Tanzania’s transport network and a symbol of evolving infrastructure in the Lake Zone.