Tanzania Expands District Roads Network to 144,429.77 Kilometers

The Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA), has expanded the network of district roads from 108,946.19 kilometers to 144,429.77 kilometers.

This was highlighted in a press conference held by the agency, on September 2^nd, 2024, in Dar es Salaam.

Addressing the meeting, TARURA’s Executive Officer, Engineer Victor Seff stated “The government is determined to improve and construct many district roads to facilitate development activities for the citizens, as so far we have managed to increase the network of district roads from 108,946.19 kilometers to 144,429.77 kilometers.”

“Until June 2024 the district tarmac roads were 3,337.66 km, equivalent to 2.31%, of which 2,743.81 km are in good condition, 445.18 km are in average condition while 148.68 km are in bad condition,” added Engineer Seff.

The Government of Tanzania, through TARURA, has set four key priorities including; i) continuous maintenance to protect existing investments and ensure the long-term durability of roads and bridges; ii) commitment to making roads passable year-round, with a target of 85% accessibility by 2025/26; iii) enhance cost-efficiency and reduce project times by utilizing alternative technologies and locally sourced materials; iv) and upgrading roads from dirt to gravel and paved surfaces, to improve overall connectivity and resilience.

Tanzania District Road Expansion

The government of Tanzania increased the budget for TARURA from TZS 710.31 billion in 2022/23, to TZS 825.09 billion in 2023/24 and further to TZS 841.19 billion in 2024/2025.

This increase enables TARURA to continue constructing, maintaining, and rehabilitating roads to improve transport infrastructure in urban and rural areas.

TARURA allocated TZS 8.67 billion for the construction of new roads and maintenance of damaged ones in the Chalinze council in Bagamoyo in 2024/25.

The agency has set a target to build 3,855.65 kilometers of tarmac roads, 102,358.14 kilometers of gravel roads, and 3,758 bridges from 2021 to 2026. Currently, 68.57% of the roads lack asphalt.