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Can Tanzania Rival Kenya as East Africa’s Trade Hub?

By SG Editor·
Cargo port in South Africa with shipping containers and industrial cranes.

The image shows the busy port of Cape Town, South Africa, featuring cargo ships, containers, and large cranes supporting the steel industry.

Tanzania is making bold moves to cement its place as a leading East African trade hub, leveraging both infrastructure and policy reforms. Long overshadowed by Kenya’s Mombasa Port, Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam is rebranding itself through investments such as DP World’s $250 million concession, which has slashed cargo clearance times from 46 days to just seven. Modernization efforts extend beyond ports, with new railway links to Zambia, Rwanda, and the DRC set to boost regional connectivity. President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s push includes refurbishing Bagamoyo and Tanga ports while expanding maritime capacity. Experts emphasize, however, that lasting success depends on governance reforms and digitalization. With GDP projected to hit $134 billion by 2030, Tanzania’s blend of smart logistics and regional connectivity could rewrite East Africa’s trade map.

Forbes