Tanzania begins mobilizing funds for construction of 83bn/- market in Babati
DODOMA: THE Tanzanian government has started preparations to mobilise funds for the construction of a modern market in Babati Town Council, Manyara Region, which is expected to accommodate 810 traders, Deputy Minister in the President’s Office responsible for Public Service Management and Good Governance, Festo Dugange, has said.
Mr Dugange made the remarks in Parliament in Dodoma today, November 3, 2026, while responding to a question by Babati Town MP Emmanuel John Kambai.
He said the existing market was constructed in 1977 with a capacity to accommodate 91 traders but currently serves 210, resulting in overcrowding.
Mr Dugange said Babati Town Council had allocated a 54,437.5-square-metre plot at Maisaka for the construction of the proposed market, whose cost is estimated at 83bn/-.
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He added that the government had directed all local government authorities to allocate five per cent of their uncommitted own-source revenue towards the construction of markets and trading stalls for small-scale traders.
The Deputy Minister said the council should complete the project proposal and submit it to the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI) for assessment and budget preparations to facilitate phased construction.
Regarding the MP’s request to visit the existing market, Mr Dugange said he was ready to accompany Mr Kambai to Babati to inspect the market and other development projects.
