The Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) is advancing the development of Mbamba Bay Port in Nyasa District, Ruvuma, as part of the government’s strategic investments in modernising and expanding 11 key ports across the country. The project is designed to significantly boost maritime capacity and nearly double the sector’s contribution to the national economy.

The development plan includes the construction of a dockyard with a vessel-handling capacity of over 30,000 tonnes, ensuring the port can accommodate the rapid growth in trade expected through the Mtwara Corridor. This inland transport network will link Mbamba Bay Port to Mtwara Port, strengthening Tanzania’s role as a trade hub for neighbouring countries including Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia.

Mbamba Bay Port is expected to play a pivotal role in unlocking inland development potential by connecting vital resources to port access. Its integration into the $115 million Mtwara Corridor Agreement will facilitate regional cargo movement and expand opportunities for cross-border commerce.

Alongside these efforts, the government is implementing strategic plans to attract both foreign and domestic investment into the southern transport corridor, positioning the Ruvuma and Mtwara regions as key drivers of economic growth. The project, long delayed due to financial constraints, is now firmly underway and represents a transformative step in Tanzania’s regional trade and logistics infrastructure.