By Obiabin Onukwugha
Tanzania’s long-awaited $10billion Bagamoyo Port project is set to commence this December, following a resolution of a decade-long delay.
The port, located in the northeast of Dar es Salaam, is part of a broader economic zone initiative including industrial parks and transportation infrastructure.
It was gathered that fhe initial phase will include construction of 14 of the planned 28 berths, enabling accommodation of larger vessels than other East African ports.
Initial agreements with China and Oman in 2013 faced obstacles until renegotiated under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration. The port is expected to reach a depth of 20 meters, allowing it to accommodate larger vessels than any other port in East Africa.
Tanzania signed a framework agreement with China Merchants Holdings International and Oman’s State General Reserve Fund in 2013, but implementation was stalled after the government deemed the terms unfavourable.
After taking office in 2021, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, said her administration had begun renegotiations to revive the $10 billion project, signalling a major step toward boosting the country’s trade capacity and regional maritime influence.
Business Insider Africa reported on Monday that Gerson Msigwa, the chief government spokesperson, of saying that the port will eventually feature 28 berths, with construction starting initially on 14.
