Tanzania Expands Mtwara Port to Capture Regional Trade

Tanzania is constructing a new 300-meter berth at Mtwara Port capable of receiving larger bulk vessels, part of a broader push to transform the facility into a regional trade gateway serving Malawi, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other neighboring markets. Construction is almost halfway complete, with the project due to be completed in 2027. Cargo volumes at Mtwara have already more than quadrupled since 2021, rising to 2.58 million metric tons by 2024/25. The expansion is anchored in the decades-old Mtwara Development Corridor linking Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia through planned road, rail, and port infrastructure. While Dar es Salaam still handles about 95% of Tanzania’s maritime trade, officials hope a deeper Mtwara berth will offer an alternative route. However, success will depend on improved road links and competitive logistics.