From ports and railways to tourism, mining, and energy, the country is strengthening its role as a regional platform, connecting East and Central Africa to global markets, while accelerating industrialization.
“The logistics opportunities are huge because Tanzania serves as a hub for several landlocked countries.”
— Nqobile Ngwenya, Acting Group CEO of Bravo Group
From the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to the coastline of the Indian Ocean, geography has always shaped Tanzania’s identity. Today, it is also shaping its economic future. Positioned on Africa’s eastern seaboard, the nation has become a key link between global markets and the fast-growing economies of East and Central Africa.
The country provides vital access to the sea for landlocked neighbors, including Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Malawi, and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Cargo moves daily through the Port of Dar es Salaam to destinations across the region, reinforcing its role as a key route for regional trade.
“The logistics opportunities are huge because Tanzania serves as a hub for several landlocked countries,”
says Nqobile Ngwenya, Acting Group CEO of Bravo Group.
Dar es Salaam handled approximately 27.7 million tons of cargo during the 2024/25 financial year, making it one of the busiest ports on Africa’s eastern coast. To manage growing trade volumes, the country’s governing body is upgrading ports, logistics centers, highways, and rail infrastructure while improving connections with inland markets.
Rail development is a major part of that effort. Tanzania Railways Corporation is building a Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) network expected to span more than 2,500 kilometers, connecting Dar es Salaam with Mwanza on Lake Victoria and extending routes toward Rwanda, Burundi, and the eastern DRC.
“With the new Standard Gauge Railway and the open-access framework, Tanzania’s railway is entering a new era. It’s a huge opportunity for transporters,”
says Machibya M. Shiwa, Director of Tanzania Railways Corporation.
Road infrastructure is also expanding rapidly. Since the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) was established in 2001, paved road constructions have increased from roughly 3,000 kilometers to more than 12,700 kilometers, alongside over 9,600 bridges.
“The government alone cannot finance all the infrastructure. We’re working with public-private partnerships to unlock investment and pave the way at high speed,” explains Mohamed Besta, Chief Executive of TANROADS.
Infrastructure investment is also supporting industrial growth. Zanzibar Ports Corporation (ZPC) is upgrading facilities to support export-oriented manufacturing and industrial clusters. Under Zanzibar’s 2030 development agenda, the planned Fumba Port project is expected to double container throughput while supporting a special economic zone with bonded warehousing and cold-chain facilities.
“For too long, Africa has exported raw marine resources and imported finished products. Our vision is to process, package, and export from here,”
says ZPC Director General, Akif Ali Khamis.
These projects are helping reshape the broader economy. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates Tanzania’s GDP at approximately US$87 billion in 2025, placing it among East Africa’s largest economies.
Energy and mining remain major investment drivers, with natural gas reserves estimated at 57 trillion cubic feet and the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project expected to generate about 2,115 megawatts upon completion. The country is also one of Africa’s leading gold producers and remains the world’s only source of tanzanite.
Manufacturing and agriculture are also expanding as regional demand grows. Industrial parks and export processing zones are attracting investment in construction materials, packaged goods, textiles, and food processing, while mechanization is gradually transforming agriculture into larger-scale agribusiness.
“We’re going to expand more in energy, processed food products, agriculture, and more, always imprinting our innovative DNA,”
says ASAS Group Director, Faraj Jaffar.
Tourism remains another major pillar of the economy. Tanzania’s wildlife ecosystems, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar’s coastline continue attracting travelers and hospitality investors from around the world.
“Through our ‘Tourism for All’ program, we’re restoring historical and heritage sites and enabling local communities to manage them while sharing the resulting revenue,”
says Mudrik Soraga, Minister of Tourism in Zanzibar.
As infrastructure expands and investment flows into logistics, energy, tourism, manufacturing, and natural resources, Tanzania is steadily strengthening its role as one of East Africa’s most important commercial gateways.
Tanzania Builds The Corridors Powering East Africa’s Future
From ports and railways to tourism, mining, and energy, the country is strengthening its role as a regional platform, connecting East and Central Africa to global markets, while accelerating industrialization.
