DP World, Tanzania Ports Authority Signs 30-years Concession Agreement

By Obiabin Onukwugha

DP World has signed a 30-year concession agreement with the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to operate and modernise its multi-purpose Dar es Salaam Port, which connects the country and the wider region to global markets.

The Agreement was announced by the Tanzanian government, noting that DP World will initially invest about $250million to upgrade the port. The government also informed that the investment could increase to $1billion during the concession period, alongside hinterland logistics projects.

The Port when completed will connect Tanzania’s hinterland and other sub-Saharan Africa regions through a network of roads, highways, railways and dedicated freight corridors and ports, supporting the growing demand for logistics solutions across the continent and connecting businesses in the region to global markets.

The modernisation of the port includes potential investments in temperature-controlled storage to enhance Tanzania’s agricultural sector, as well as greater connections to rail-linked logistics and the future development of a special economic zone together with the broader port’s logistics sector.

Commenting, the Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, said this is the first phase of a multi-phase investment plan.

“We are honoured to partner with the Government of Tanzania to revitalise the port of Dar es Salaam. This is in line with Tanzania’s strategic development plans and is testament of the visionary leadership of H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The development will deliver trade opportunities for the region, connecting East Africa and broader sub-Saharan Africa with global markets, driving economic growth, job creation, enhanced access to products and service, and creating value for all our stakeholders.

Alongside other ports that we operate, this concession agreement marks another milestone in our collective efforts to leverage DP World’s global and local expertise to enhance the region’s supply chain to support the economic growth of the entire continent,” Sulayem stated.