Tanzania to get Sh541bn AfDB funding for transport projects

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is set to receive $75.43 million (about Sh150.8 billion) African Development Bank (AfDB) concessional loan and another $270.95 million (about Sh541 billion) loan to finance its transport projects.

The loan, according to AfDB Tanzania office, is part of the support programmes involving interventions in the country´s road, rail and air transport sub-sectors.

At their regular meeting last week, AfDB Board of Directors approved a major transport support and facilitation programme for Tanzania, to be financed by combined loans from the institution. The money will be distributed to Tanzanian authorities upon approval.

The programme includes rehabilitation and upgrading of nearly 500 kilometres of roads to bitumen standard in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar; capacity building and construction of social infrastructure as well as studies in railway and air transport sub-sectors, according to the AfDB resident representative, Dr Tonia Kandiero.

“The development of Tanzania´s transport sector will make it possible for the country to develop its vast natural resources, including agriculture and tourism as well as promote economic growth to help attain its aspirations to attain middle income status as enshrined in the country´s Vision 2025,” she remarked.

Expected to be implemented in a period of five years, under the social infrastructure component, the project will provide sanitation facilities at hospitals, schools and markets, fish-drying and bee-keeping facilities, upgrade access roads to hospitals, and construct a jetty for fishing communities in Zanzibar.

According to Dr Kandiero, the roads will also serve as links between Tanzania and the neighbouring countries of Malawi and Mozambique through the Mtwara Corridor; and Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo through the Tunduma/Nakonde border and Kasanga Port and will benefit cross-border trade.