Dodoma's evolution: Unveiling Tanzania's promising investment hub

One of the areas contributing to the new face of this city, which houses the Tanzanian Parliament, is the NCC link area.

Named after the National Construction Council (NCC) that oversees the massive construction projects, experts compare this area to ‘Posta’ in Dar es Salaam.

However, it stands out due to the unique architecture of the buildings under construction.

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Walking around the NCC link area, also known as Tambukareli, one can appreciate the beauty of newly constructed modern buildings, many still under construction.

Contractors are racing against time to complete these buildings, most intended for various government and private offices.

This area neighbours the Parliament of Tanzania and features one of the tallest towers in the city, the Kambarage Tower.

The NCC link area features residential apartments targeting government officials and members of parliament, with other offices also being built in the area.

This sprouting city includes the Tanzania Electrical, Mechanical and Electronics Services Agency (TEMESA) House and the Tanzania Court of Appeal building.

According to the regional commissioner, Ms Rosemary Senyamule, "This is the largest and most impressive judicial building ever constructed in Africa."

She insists that the building is the largest judiciary building in Africa and expresses pride in how Dodoma is becoming more attractive.

The area is also significant for residents as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) passes through it. It is where you find the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) building.

At the NCC link, you also find the famous Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre and nearby, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), also known as ‘Takwimu House’, with hotels, apartments, and more restaurants around.

The Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) building is also located in this rapidly developing area, with beautiful complexes under construction.

Shoppers Plaza is also in this area. With ongoing construction, including linking roads, the area is becoming increasingly beautiful.

Residents express pride in how the city is rapidly changing and opening up new opportunities.

One of the residents proud of the transformation taking place in the capital is former Prime Minister John Malecela, a long-time resident of Dodoma.

Mr Malecela said, "I am very proud of Dodoma, and I urge my fellow Tanzanians to come and see the developments that have taken place. This is not the Dodoma of the past."

The Bugiri-born elder was quoted in a local media outlet recently saying, "Dodoma is growing rapidly, not just in Africa but internationally. This growth is well organised, with construction happening in a planned manner and allowing for the development of necessary infrastructure such as roads."

Mr Malecela believes that Dodoma will become an attractive city and investment hub, emphasising the importance of maintaining its uniqueness.

This sentiment is echoed by Ms Senyamule, who stated:

"Dodoma is a government city, and every ongoing construction project is progressing quickly to ensure all government functions operate efficiently from here. Modern and world-class buildings are being constructed, making Dodoma unique."

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Development experts, like Mr Thomas Mfalila of the University of Dodoma, said, "There is a lot that is changing Dodoma completely into a different but attractive city in Tanzania. In the next 10 years, most people will be scrambling to work and invest here."

"This city is being developed attractively. It will be a tourist city, but investors will also invest heavily in Dodoma, and there are already those who have started building apartments," he said, adding, "This city will bring positive economic competition to Dar es Salaam."

He said that the way buildings are being constructed in an orderly manner will make the city one of the most attractive cities in Africa.

"The goal may not be to make it the most economic city in the country, but the investment opportunities that are being created will bring great momentum and a significant circulation of money."

One of the local contractors in Dodoma, Mr George Mkwamo, said, "We don’t have tall buildings like in Dar es Salaam and elsewhere, and this makes us more unique. We have very beautiful and modern buildings like Accra (Ghana), Gaborone (Botswana), and Windhoek (Namibia)."

With ongoing construction everywhere, one can conclude that Tanzania’s future is promising.

Originally a small market town known as Idodomya, the modern city of Dodoma was founded in 1907 during the construction of the Tanzanian central railway.

The Government of Tanzania decided to transfer the national capital from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma in October 1973.

The decision was propelled by the need to stimulate economic development, improve well-being, and redistribute economic benefits to the wider population of Tanzania, particularly in its central regions.

This move also aimed to curb the growth of Dar es Salaam, which was becoming critically congested and overdeveloped, and to bring government services closer to the people geographically.

Rural-urban migration, coupled with the natural population increase in the region, along with the migration of government administration functions from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma, has created significant population growth and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Dodoma is also transitioning from a dry, sunny city to a cooler, greener environment with more trees being planted.

This change makes Dodoma more attractive to people who were previously hesitant to appreciate its environment.

"Currently, many areas are being planted with trees, and even in these buildings, you find trees being planted. This is increasingly transforming Dodoma completely into a green city shortly," said Ms Yvonne Msofe, an expert on environmental and climate change issues in Dodoma city.

Businesses are flourishing, with business bay malls and supermarkets, banks, and salons among the new developments.

The government's decision to shift to Dodoma has encouraged businesses to seize the opportunity.

With accessible roads, air transport, and the recently launched SGR, Dodoma is a promising city for investment in Tanzania.

The NCC link area, in particular, showcases the potential of Dodoma’s future as a business hub, with ongoing construction transforming the city into a modern, attractive destination.