Dar Port Becomes the Main World Food Programme Facility in Tanzania

Starting from next week the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) will use the Dar Es Salaam port to transport consignments of food to East and Central African countries.

According to the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) acting Director General, Mr Madeni Kipande, a WFP ship with a food consignment of 10,000 tonnes would be docking at the port every two weeks. The ship will transfer the cargo to South Sudan and other countries in the region.

During a two-day visit to Tanzania, the WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin toured the port to assess the WFP’s operations. She also visited the central logistic hub that is vital for the UN organization’s work in Africa. She was accompanied by WFP Goodwill Ambassador, Mr Howard Buffet.

Tanzania Investment Guide 2026 Free Edition

Dar es Salaam port is the principal Tanzanian port with a rated capacity of 4.1 million deadweight tonnage dry cargo and 6.0 million bulk liquid cargo.

It handles about 95% of Tanzania international trade and serves the landlocked countries of Malawi, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda.

The port is also strategically placed to be a convenient freight linkage not only to and from East and Central Africa but also to the Middle and Far East, Europe, Australia and America.

Ms Cousin appeared highly pleased to see such good infrastructure and the efficiency of operations at the Tanzanian Port.

Want to know more about Transport in Tanzania? Our free overview of the Tanzania Business and Investment Guide 2026 covers Transport, plus key sectors and investment opportunities. The complete 141-page edition includes policies, taxation, key regulations, full macroeconomic data, and sources, and is also available at no cost upon completion of a short form.

Download Free OverviewGet the Full Edition for Free
Related Posts
Samia Suluhu Hassan Ndiame Diop World Bank Dar es Salaam Port Second Phase
Read More

World Bank Considers Financing Second Phase of Dar es Salaam Port Upgrade

The World Bank is considering financing a second phase of the Dar es Salaam Port upgrade after the first phase, backed by a USD 345 million credit, reached 85% completion and helped raise annual throughput from 14 million tonnes in 2015/16 to 32.8 million tonnes in 2025/26. Regional Vice President Ndiamé Diop signalled the interest during a three-day visit that included talks with President Samia Suluhu Hassan on 20 August 2026 covering the SGR, central corridor development, agriculture, education and the mobilisation of private investment.
Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan DRC Felix Tshisekedi
Read More

DRC to Build Dry Port in Dar es Salaam, Deepen Transport and Mining Ties with Tanzania

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has begun preparations to build a dry port in Dar es Salaam that will provide customs, cargo handling, mineral certification, and quality control services for Congolese goods moving through Tanzania, President Félix Tshisekedi announced during a state visit to Tanzania on 18 August 2026. The DRC is among the largest users of Tanzanian ports, with approximately 7.2 million tonnes of cargo handled in 2023, as the two countries agreed to accelerate transport, trade, and mining cooperation along the Central Corridor.
Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan foundation stone construction Tabora-Kigoma Standard Gauge Railway (SGR)
Read More

Tanzania Begins Construction of USD 2.74 Billion Tabora-Kigoma SGR Railway Section

President Samia Suluhu Hassan laid the foundation stone for the 506-kilometer Tabora-Kigoma Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) section on 20 July 2026, a USD 2.74 billion (TZS 7.4 trillion) investment linking Dar es Salaam Port to Lake Tanganyika. The section forms the second phase of Tanzania's SGR program, alongside the planned Uvinza-Musongati line, and is expected to position Kigoma as a regional trade hub connecting Tanzania to Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.