TANZANIA and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have signed a key infrastructure agreement to develop dry ports in both countries, aiming to boost regional trade and streamline logistics between East and Central Africa.
The agreement, finalised on Saturday in Lubumbashi, is a strategic step under the 2022 bilateral infrastructure pact between the two nations. By setting up inland logistics hubs, both governments intend to cut transit times, reduce congestion at seaports, and improve cargo handling capacity.
Deal reflects surging trade through Dar es Salaam
According to Godius Kahyarara, Permanent Secretary in Tanzania’s Ministry of Transport, the initiative is timely. Over the past four years, cargo volumes from Dar es Salaam port to the DRC have surged by 180 percent, placing pressure on existing infrastructure and driving the need for decentralised cargo handling points.
‘This dry port agreement marks a significant milestone in deepening our trade cooperation and infrastructure development with the DRC,’ said Kahyarara.
Strategic locations and 18-month timeline set
Under the agreement:
- Tanzania will develop dry ports in Kasumbalesa, Kasenga, and Kalemie within the DRC.
- The DRC will receive land in Kwala and Katosho for its own dry port projects within Tanzania.
The ports will be developed using a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with both governments aiming for completion within 18 months.
Dry ports are inland intermodal terminals directly connected to seaports, designed to handle, store, and clear customs for cargo—improving overall logistics efficiency and reducing congestion at coastal ports.
A win for regional trade and connectivity
This new infrastructure deal aligns with wider efforts across Africa to enhance cross-border trade, reduce dependency on single port entry points, and modernise logistics systems to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) goals.
By unlocking shared logistics capacity, Tanzania and the DRC are not only deepening economic ties but also providing vital trade corridors for landlocked nations and boosting competitiveness across the region.
