Tanzania’s Kalimbaga elected ARMFA President

MONROVIA: THE African Road Maintenance Fund Association (ARMFA) has elected Tanzania’s Engineer Rashid Sellemani Kalimbaga as its new president on the fourth day of the organisation’s 22nd Annual General Assembly in Monrovia, Liberia.

Eng Kalimbaga, who heads the Tanzania Road Fund, takes over from Cameroon’s Essaie Moussa Aubin, the outgoing president.

His election marks a new phase of leadership for the continental body responsible for coordinating and strengthening road-maintenance financing across Africa.

Speaking after his election, Eng Kalimbaga said his first priority will be to improve the mechanisms for raising maintenance funds, noting that many countries continue to struggle with inadequate financing for road upkeep.

“We have a problem getting sufficient maintenance funds,” he said. “We have to put in place a mechanism to ensure that we increase road-fund financing so that we can effectively maintain our roads.”

He stressed that strengthening ARMFA’s visibility and registration with the African Union will remain central to his agenda, building on efforts initiated by his predecessor.

“We have to continue all efforts to make the association well-known and well-registered at the AU, so that we can more effectively accomplish our roles,” he said. “Without roads, there is no development. Our task is to ensure that road networks across Africa remain passable so people can access services and economies can grow.”

Eng Kalimbaga described his election as a proud moment for Tanzania, saying he expects strong support from his national leadership as he undertakes continental responsibilities.

He also praised Liberia, host of this year’s assembly, for its hospitality, infrastructure improvements, and ongoing efforts to expand road access nationwide.

He called on fellow ARMFA leaders elected alongside him to work collaboratively to strengthen the institution’s impact. “I expect cooperation and support so that together we can take this institution.