Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have taken a significant step toward enhancing regional trade by signing a new agreement to develop dry ports in both countries. The deal, signed on Saturday in Lubumbashi, DRC, is set to revolutionize cargo handling and logistics efficiency, bolstering economic ties between the two East and Central African nations.
Under the terms of the agreement, each country will provide land for the establishment of dry port facilities critical inland cargo hubs that help decongest seaports and facilitate smoother trade flows. Tanzania will receive land in Kasumbalesa, Kasenga, and Kalemie in the DRC, while the DRC will acquire land for similar facilities in Kwala and Katosho, Tanzania.
The move comes in response to a dramatic 180 percent increase in cargo volumes from the Dar es Salaam port to the DRC over the last four years. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Godius Kahyarara, Permanent Secretary in Tanzania’s Ministry of Transport, emphasized the importance of the agreement as a milestone in implementing the 2022 bilateral infrastructure development pact between the two countries.
“This partnership is not just about infrastructure; it’s about economic transformation,” Kahyarara said. “It will significantly cut delays and reduce costs associated with cross-border logistics.”
The dry port development will be carried out under a public-private partnership (PPP) model and is expected to be completed within 18 months. The facilities are anticipated to streamline customs operations, reduce transit times, and increase the overall competitiveness of trade routes that pass through Tanzania and the DRC.
Experts see the initiative as a strategic move to strengthen regional integration in the Southern and Eastern Africa transport corridors, linking landlocked nations like the DRC to global markets via Tanzania’s ports.
By investing in joint logistics infrastructure, Tanzania and the DRC aim to unlock new trade potential, boost economic growth, and pave the way for stronger regional cooperation in the years ahead.
