The road, a vital transport artery, is currently plagued by chronic congestion and heavy industrial traffic, which, President Hassan said, has been "slowing economic activities and made daily commutes a struggle."
Mkuranga.The CCM president candidate,Samia Suluhu Hassan has pledged a massive expansion of the notorious Kilwa Road stretch between Kongowe and Mkuranga, promising to transform what she called a "nightmare" for travellers and transporters and unlock economic growth in the rapidly developing Coast Region.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Mkuranga District on Monday, October 20, 2025, she announced the priority infrastructure project just days before the general election on October 29.
The road, a vital transport artery, is currently plagued by chronic congestion and heavy industrial traffic, which, President Hassan said, has been "slowing economic activities and made daily commutes a struggle."
"I recognise the heavy traffic along the Kilwa Road," President Hassan told a cheering crowd. "This congestion delays the movement of goods and people and directly affects economic activities. We are now looking at how best to expand this road to make travel faster and safer."
The expansion, the President said, is central to her administration's vision of turning the Coast Region into a major transport and industrial hub.
"Good roads mean better access to markets, faster transport of goods, and more jobs," she said.
"When this project is completed, it will change the daily lives of people who spend hours on the road. It will also open new business opportunities."
To underline the importance of the pledge, President Hassan publicly instructed the Minister for Works, Abdallah Ulega, to immediately study the road and propose a definitive expansion plan.
"I have already handed him the Works Ministry, and I know he will dig deep to find a lasting solution for this road," she asserted.
The Kilwa Road expansion is not the only infrastructure promise.
The CCM flag bearer also committed to prioritising the 40-kilometre Mkuranga Town–Kisiju Road, a project included in the party’s 2025–2030 manifesto.
"Once the road reaches Kisiju, it will open up the Kisiju Port," the President stated, adding that the manifesto also includes plans for a new bus terminal, noting that land for the project has already been secured.
Addressing the rally, Mr Ulega highlighted the government's track record, attributing the significant industrial growth in Mkuranga to President Hassan's leadership.
"When you came into office in 2021, Mkuranga had only 214 industries," Ulega said. "Despite the global slowdown, your strong economic diplomacy attracted investors, and now we have 274 industries, including four major cashew processing plants which is the largest in the country."
He also cited achievements in national infrastructure, confirming that between 2021 and 2025, 1,384 kilometres of roads had been upgraded to tarmac, alongside 12 major bridges.
President Hassan further detailed progress in social services in Mkuranga, noting that primary schools have increased from 130 to 169, while secondary schools rose from 26 to 39 under her administration
As the election approaches, President Hassan concluded with a direct appeal to voters, framing the infrastructure plan as a continuation of progress.
"We are not just building roads," she said. "We are building pathways to progress, connecting people, businesses, and dreams."
