When homegrown contractors are building Tanzania’s future

RUVUMA: THE construction of the 14.414-kilometre Utiri–Mahande Road in Mbinga District is doing more than improving transport for local communities. It is also demonstrating that Tanzanian contractors have the technical expertise and capacity to deliver major infrastructure projects to high standards when given the opportunity.

The project, being implemented by Ovans Construction Limited, a Tanzanian-owned contractor, under the supervision of Inter-Consult Ltd of Dar es Salaam, is expected to transform access between Utiri Ward and Mahande while improving the movement of people, goods and agricultural produce.

Once completed, the road will particularly benefit coffee farmers by providing a more reliable transport corridor to domestic and international markets. Financed by the European Union through the Agro-Connect Programme, the project is valued at more than 16bn/-.

Construction has reached 83 per cent completion and is expected to be finished in August this year after heavy rains linked to climate change delayed progress. During an inspection of the project recently, the Minister for Transport Professor Makame Mbarawa expressed satisfaction with the quality of work despite the difficult weather conditions. He said the project illustrates the government’s commitment to developing local contractors capable of delivering strategic infrastructure projects across the country.

According to the Minister, empowering Tanzanian contractors is an important part of strengthening the country’s construction industry and retaining technical expertise within the national economy. He noted that quality infrastructure remains a key driver of economic growth, improved livelihoods and increased productivity.

The Utiri–Mahande Road is expected to become an important economic lifeline for Mbinga District, where agriculture remains the backbone of the local economy. Better road infrastructure will improve access to markets, reduce transportation costs and increase the efficiency of moving agricultural produce, particularly coffee, one of the district’s most valuable cash crops.

The project also demonstrates the growing confidence being placed in local contractors to undertake complex infrastructure works previously dominated by foreign companies. As more Tanzanian firms gain experience delivering projects of this scale, they continue building the technical capacity needed to compete for larger national assignments.

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Engineer Silvesta Chinengo, the Ruvuma Regional Manager of the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA), said construction began on November 12, 2024, with completion originally scheduled for May 29, 2026.

However, unusually heavy rainfall affected construction activities, pushing the expected completion date to August 20, 2026. Beyond surfacing the road, the project includes road widening, construction of 42 culverts, five masonry bridges, installation of 104 street lights and 14 vehicle parking bays.

These complementary works are expected to improve safety, drainage and the overall efficiency of the transport corridor while supporting long-term economic development.

Mbinga District Commissioner Kisare Makori said more than 85 per cent of the district’s residents depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. Coffee remains the leading commercial crop, alongside maize, beans and other food crops. Reliable road infrastructure, he said, will enable farmers to transport produce more efficiently, reduce post-harvest losses and improve access to buyers.

For coffee farmers, improved transport is particularly significant. Utiri produces specialty coffee recognised in international markets for its high quality. However, poor road conditions during the rainy season have often delayed transportation from farms to processing centres and markets, increasing costs and reducing profitability. Mbinga Urban Member of Parliament Jonas Mbunda said the upgraded road will strengthen the coffee value chain by making transportation faster, safer and more reliable.

Lower transport costs and shorter travel times are expected to increase the competitiveness of locally produced coffee while improving farmers’ incomes.

He also noted that the quality of work delivered by Ovans Construction Limited has strengthened public confidence in the ability of Tanzanian contractors to execute large infrastructure projects. Successful delivery of projects such as the Utiri–Mahande Road demonstrates that local companies possess both the technical expertise and management capacity required for strategic national investments.

Ruvuma Regional Commissioner Brigadier General Ahmed Abbas Ahmed echoed the same view, saying the project’s implementation reflects the growing capability of Tanzanian contractors to execute major public works efficiently. He observed that continued investment in local construction firms helps build national technical capacity while creating employment opportunities and supporting domestic economic growth.

The success of local contractors extends beyond the completion of individual projects. Every major contract awarded to a Tanzanian company provides opportunities to develop skilled engineers, technicians, machine operators and construction workers. It also strengthens local supply chains by creating demand for materials, equipment and professional services sourced within the country.

As local firms gain experience handling increasingly sophisticated infrastructure projects, they become better positioned to compete for future assignments both nationally and regionally. This contributes to reducing dependence on foreign contractors while ensuring that more project value remains within the domestic economy.

For the people of Utiri and neighbouring communities, however, the benefits are measured less by engineering achievements than by everyday improvements in their lives. For years, farmers have struggled to transport coffee and other crops during the rainy season, often facing delays, higher transport costs and financial losses. Poor road conditions have limited access to markets and slowed economic activity throughout the area.

Completion of the road is expected to change that. Improved transport will reduce travel time, lower vehicle operating costs and make it easier for farmers to move produce to buyers while preserving quality.

Better accessibility is also likely to stimulate trade, encourage private investment and create employment opportunities, particularly for young people.

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Improved road infrastructure will also enhance access to schools, health facilities and other essential services, strengthening social as well as economic development. Reliable transport networks remain fundamental to connecting rural communities with wider markets and public services, making infrastructure investment an important component of inclusive development.

The Utiri–Mahande Road illustrates how infrastructure projects can generate multiple benefits simultaneously. They improve mobility, strengthen agricultural value chains, stimulate local economies and expand employment opportunities. At the same time, they provide practical evidence that Tanzanian contractors are capable of delivering complex projects that meet required standards.

As the project approaches completion, it stands as an example of what can be achieved when investment in infrastructure is matched by investment in local expertise. Strengthening the capacity of Tanzanian contractors is not only about completing roads; it is about developing a resilient construction industry capable of supporting long-term national development.

The experience of the Utiri– Mahande Road reinforces an important lesson. When local contractors are entrusted with major infrastructure projects and provided with opportunities to grow, they develop the skills, experience and confidence needed to deliver quality results. In doing so, they build more than roads, they help build national capacity, stronger local economies and a more self-reliant future.