Samia lays foundation stone for 255km Tanga-Bagamoyo road

TANGA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has laid the foundation stone for the construction of the 256km Tanga- Bagamoyo road that goes together with the construction of 525m Pangani River Bridge.

The road’s main points are Saadani in Tanga and Mkurunge in Bagamoyo.

The project, part of the East African Community (EAC) highway network connecting Tanzania and Kenya, is funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Tanzanian government.

Speaking after the ceremony in Pangani, Tanga region, President Samia emphasized that the new road will unlock economic opportunities in Tanga by linking Tanga with other regions and economic zones, fostering trade and investment.

She also revealed that the government plans to develop Bagamoyo into a major economic hub, featuring a free economic zone, the country’s largest industrial cluster (EPZ), and a new port, so the project will connect Tanga with the opportunities that will be available in Bagamoyo.

“This road will link Tanga to Bagamoyo, and it will open up Tanga for tourism and commerce, making it easier for tourists to travel from Saadani to other attractions in the region, while also strengthening trade corridors,” she stated.

Minister for Works, Abdallah Ulega, outlined key features of the project, including the installation of 240 streetlights in the Pangani River bridge, with 200 designated for Pangani town alone.

He reaffirmed the President’s directive to ensure that all new roads are well-lit, enhancing safety and accessibility.

Mr Ulega praised President Samia’s leadership, noting that her administration has successfully completed eight major bridges and over 1,366 kilometers of road projects nationwide, valued at 2.7tril/-.

On her part, African Development Bank (AfDB) Resident Representative Dr. Patricia Laverley underscored the project’s significance in strengthening regional connectivity, linking Malindi and Mombasa in Kenya with Tanga, Dar es Salaam, and Mtwara in Tanzania.

She described the initiative as a realization of long-standing regional integration ambitions.

“ The foundation represents the historical dreams of connecting Malindi and Mombasa in Kenya with Tanga, Dar es Salaam and Mtwara in Tanzania, it is therefore with great pride that we are funding this project with the government of Tanzania and Kenya” she noted.

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Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) Director General, Engineer Mohamed Besta, provided updates on the construction progress. The project is being implemented in phases:

•  The 50-kilometer Tanga-Pangani road is 75 percent complete, with a budget of  118.7bn/-
• The 525m Pangani River Bridge is 53 percent complete, costs 107bn/-.
• The 95-kilometer Tungamaa-Mkwaja-Mkange road, including the Kipumbwi access road, is 46 percent complete, with a budget of 123bn/- .
• The 73-kilometer Mkurunge-Mukange road is in the negotiation phase with AfDB.

Pangani MP and Minister for Water, Jumaa Aweso, described the project as a historic milestone for the region, addressing a long-standing infrastructure challenge.

He recalled past frustrations over the lack of reliable roads and expressed gratitude to President Samia for fulfilling a long-awaited promise.

Aweso emphasized that the road will transform Pangani from an isolated town into a thriving economic hub, attracting investors and creating employment opportunities for young people.

He noted that Pangani had long felt disconnected, with limited accessibility, but the new road will boost economic activity, making it easier for businesses to thrive and for residents to access essential services.

“Pangani felt like an isolated island. People only visited for special occasions, maybe a football match between Simba and Young Africans, or a funeral ceremony. But with this road, we are entering a new era of prosperity, attracting investors and unlocking our full economic potential,” he emphasized.