The World Bank (WB) has approved USD 300 million in credit from the International Development Association (IDA) for the new Dar es Salaam Metropolitan Development Project (DMPD).
The projects will improve urban services for 1.9 million residents in the Tanzanian capital and, indirectly, for the city’s overall population of 4.6 million.
DMDP will improve the key services to address congestion, flooding, urban mobility, growth of informal settlements and basic infrastructure in low-income communities that are affecting Dar es Salaam.
Dar es Salaam, whose population growth rate averaged 5.6% between 2002 and 2012, is among fastest growing cities in the world.
“With more than 800,000 new job seekers entering the market every year, many are looking to Dar es Salaam for opportunities. In 15 years Dar es Salaam will be a mega city with a population of over 10 million residents.” said Philippe Dongier, World Bank Tanzania Country Director.
“Investments over the next five years are key to help establish the foundations to develop and manage a booming metropolitan area – one that allows enterprises to thrive, that create productive jobs, and that provides an improved quality of life to its residents.” Dongier added.