Tanzania is set to break ground on the $10 billion Bagamoyo port project in December according to official reports. Once complete, the project will be East Africa’s largest maritime infrastructure project, a monumental feat. Furthermore, it will end a decade of delays due to government objections to the initial contract terms. The terms had been agreed upon between the government and foreign developers. The port is part of the large-scale special economic zone initiative involving industrial parks and rail road links. It is located about 75 kilometers (47 miles) north of the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam. According to Reuters, Gerson Msigwa, the chief government spokesperson told reporters the scope of the port. Msigwa noted that the port will have 28 berths but construction will initially start on 14. Furthermore, he noted that construction machinery is on the way but did not give further details.
Project Factsheet
Project Name: Bagamoyo Port Development
Total Investment: US$10 billion
Location: Bagamoyo, Tanzania (75 km north of Dar es Salaam)
Construction Status
- Groundbreaking set for December
- Initial works to begin on 14 of the planned 28 berths
- Construction machinery already en route to site
Key Development Statistics
- Planned depth: up to 20 meters
- Capacity: up to 25,000-container vessels
- Will also surpass all existing East African ports upon completion
Strategic Significance
- Set to become East Africa’s largest maritime infrastructure project
- Central part of a greater Special Economic Zone with industrial and rail links
- Positions Tanzania to rival Kenya’s Mombasa Port after its expansion.
Background of the Project
- Original framework agreement signed in 2013 with China Merchants Holdings International & Oman’s State General Reserve Fund
- Project was stalled for ten years because of unsatisfactory contract terms.
- However, revived under President Samia Suluhu Hassan after 2021 negotiations
Bagomoyo Port in Tanzania as East Africa’s Largest Maritime Infrastructure Project
The scope of implementation on the Bagamoyo port project in Tanzania is expected to be monumental. The port will have a depth of up to 20 meters and will be able to receive ships larger than any port in the eastern Africa region. “The port will be able to handle ships with a capacity of up to 25,000 containers,” he said. However, Msigwa did not divulge much on the value of the project or the construction contractor. The East African nation signed a framework agreement with two developers, China Merchants Holdings International and Oman’s State General Reserve Fund in 2013.
However, implementation was delayed because the government noted that the terms were not favorable for the country. After taking office in 2021, President Samia Suluhu Hassan said they had started negotiations to revive the $10 billion project. Once complete, the project is expected to rival Kenya’s Mombasa port which is also undergoing significant renovation. These include increasing the capacity of the port and the number of berths.
