Tanzania Ports Authority is currently implementing a 5-year strategic plan to overhaul all ports in the country. 

The Deputy Minister of Works, Engineer Godfrey Kasekenya, said the plan was implemented from 2021/22 to 2025/26. 

The government revealed its zeal to improve ports around the country when the CCM MP, Ms Tunza Malapo, raised the question at the parliament on June 21, 2022, about the government’s plan on Mtwara port has been sluggish for some time.

The minister said that the government is currently implementing a robust plan which focuses on all ports, not only Mtwara.

In the case of Mtwara, through the plan, the government has succeeded significant improvements at the port along with procurement of Reach Stacker, Mobile Harbour Crane, Terminal Tractors and Ship to Shore Gantry Crane (SSG), which the country expects to receive in August 2022.

The newly purchased machinery is vital to ports operation, said the minister. ” The government through TPA has continuously been marketing the Mtwara port to attract markets from the Mtwara Development Corridor, which attracts five developing countries, i.e. Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, DRC, and Comoro.

The deputy minister added that TPA reduced the ports levy at Mtwara port by 30% from July 2021 to attract business.