RUVUMA: On the calm shores of Lake Nyasa in Ruvuma Region, an ambitious inland port upgrading project is steadily taking shape.
Designed to improve the smooth flow of goods, people and opportunities across southern Tanzania and beyond, the initiative marks a significant milestone in the region’s long-term development agenda.
The long-anticipated upgrade of Mbamba Bay Port by the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) has progressed from blueprint to reality. Construction is well underway on what is expected to become a modern inland port and logistics hub serving the Southern Transport Corridor.
The 81bn/- project, intended to replace the existing modest landing facilities along the lake, is scheduled for completion by the third quarter of this year. Once finished, the upgraded port will feature two expanded berths capable of accommodating vessels of up to 5,000 tonnes each, a modern cargo yard, and container storage for approximately 3,000 containers.
It will also include passenger facilities, health services, and a one-stop customs and logistics centre. When launching the project in September 2024, President Samia Suluhu Hassan emphasised that the port forms part of a broader development vision for southern Tanzania.
The upgrade is not an isolated investment but a strategic component of a comprehensive infrastructure plan aimed at unlocking the economic potential of the Southern Highlands and surrounding regions. Administratively and operationally, Mbamba Bay will serve as a focal point for smaller ports along Lake Nyasa.
These include Liuli and Ndumbi in Ruvuma Region, Kiwira, Itungi and Matema in Mbeya Region, and Manda and Lupingu in Njombe Region. The upgraded port is therefore positioned to coordinate and strengthen lake transport services across multiple districts.
The project also aligns with a wider southern development strategy that encompasses road improvements and planned railway expansion. Central to this vision is more than 1,000 kilometres of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) proposed to link the Indian Ocean port of Mtwara to Mbamba Bay.
The railway plan includes strategic branches to the Mchuchuma-Liganga project in Njombe Region, an area endowed with substantial proven deposits of coal and iron ore. For TPA Director General Mr Plasduce Mbossa, the upgrading of Mbamba Bay Port represents more than the construction of infrastructure.
It is a strategic investment designed to strengthen trade within Tanzania and across the Southern African Development Community (SADC). He has described the port as a reliable link connecting inland producers and regional partners to domestic and international markets.
Mbamba Bay’s location gives it distinct regional significance. Situated along Lake Nyasa, which is shared by Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique, the port occupies a natural crossroads for commerce. Malawi, a landlocked neighbour, is expected to benefit significantly from improved lake transport linking its northern districts to Tanzania’s expanding transport network. Zambia may also leverage the corridor for exports and imports as infrastructure along the route continues to develop.
A key component of the broader strategy is the Mtwara Development Corridor, which connects the Indian Ocean port of Mtwara with the southern hinterland. In recent years, substantial investments have upgraded roads between Mtwara, Mbinga and Mbamba Bay, facilitating smoother movement of freight and passengers.
The port will complement these improvements by providing reliable lake services. Stakeholders note that the anticipated SGR link between Mtwara and Mbamba Bay could fully transform the corridor’s capacity.
Under the envisaged multimodal system, cargo arriving at Mtwara from overseas markets would be transported inland by rail to Mbamba Bay and transferred onto lake vessels bound for destinations in Malawi and beyond.
Similarly, goods produced in neighbouring countries could cross the lake and connect to the SGR for shipment through the Indian Ocean. Such seamless connections are expected to reduce transport costs, shorten turnaround times and enhance competitiveness for regional exporters.
While the Port of Dar es Salaam remains Tanzania’s principal international gateway, expanding capacity through inland hubs such as Mbamba Bay helps distribute logistical risk and bring services closer to production zones. The port is therefore not only a domestic asset but also a cornerstone of regional integration in southern Africa.
By strengthening Tanzania’s position within the Southern Transport Corridor, the project supports more efficient movement of goods from farms and mines to ports and onward to global markets. This is particularly significant for Zambia’s eastern provinces, where minerals and agricultural commodities require dependable access to maritime routes.
From the project site in Nyasa District, Ruvuma Region, District Commissioner Mr Peres Magiri has confirmed that construction is progressing well. He expressed appreciation to the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan for financing the initiative through TPA.
According to him, work has reached 47.1 per cent completion, with finalisation expected by August as scheduled.
Although heavy rains briefly slowed progress, construction has resumed at full pace. Mr Magiri explained that the most demanding phase involved laying the port’s foundation. The remaining tasks are less extensive, and the project is on track for timely completion.
He added that the finished port will significantly boost the economy of Nyasa District, Ruvuma Region and the country as a whole by strengthening transport and trade across Lake Nyasa and neighbouring states. Plans are also underway to develop complementary infrastructure, including an international market at Mbamba Bay to attract traders from Malawi and Mozambique.
The aim is to enable cross-border traders to conduct business locally rather than travelling long distances to Tunduma, Kariakoo in Dar es Salaam or Makambako in Njombe Region, thereby saving time and reducing transport costs while stimulating local commerce.
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From a geopolitical perspective, Mbamba Bay enhances Tanzania’s role in regional trade governance. By providing alternative routes for landlocked SADC countries, the port diversifies export options and reduces reliance on traditional corridors. Improved infrastructure is expected to attract investment in logistics, warehousing and industrial zones along the southern corridor, positioning Tanzania as a regional commerce hub.
The socio-economic benefits for southern Tanzania are projected to be substantial. In addition to employment in port operations and logistics, the project is stimulating enterprise in transport, trade, hospitality and tourism.
Communities along Lake Nyasa will gain improved mobility, encouraging cross-border trade partnerships and cultural exchanges. For the agriculturally rich Southern Highlands, known for maize, beans and timber, enhanced port access may reduce post-harvest losses and open new markets.
During construction, local employment opportunities have expanded, and long- term prospects are anticipated in cargo handling, warehousing and related services.
Environmental protection remains integral to the project. As one of Africa’s largest freshwater ecosystems, Lake Nyasa supports significant biodiversity and fishing livelihoods. Authorities have committed to incorporating modern safeguards to minimise pollution, manage waste responsibly and protect the shoreline. As completion approaches, anticipation is growing among traders, transporters and investors.
The transformation from a modest lakeside facility into a modern logistics hub reflects a broader economic shift for southern Tanzania. When the first modern cargo vessel docks at the upgraded port, it will symbolise not only infrastructure progress but also the unlocking of long-constrained regional potential.
In the years ahead, the port’s success is expected to be measured in increased trade volumes, stronger regional ties and improved livelihoods across southern Africa. Pic: Mbamba Bay Caption: An aerial view of Mbamba Bay Port during the early stages of its upgrade in Nyasa District, Ruvuma Region, along the shores of Lake Nyasa.