Dar es Salaam. The government has used the Port of Dar es Salaam as a stage to take stock of the first 100 days of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s renewed mandate, unveiling sharp improvements in port efficiency, record revenue collection and steady progress on flagship energy infrastructure.
Addressing journalists on January 20, 2026, the Chief Government Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Mr Gerson Msigwa, said the choice of venue was deliberate.
“We deliberately chose to hold this briefing at the Port of Dar es Salaam in order to show Tanzanians the substantial work that has been undertaken by the Government,” he said, noting the port’s central role as a regional logistics gateway.
He said reforms led by the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), supported by private operators DP World Dar es Salaam Limited and Tanzania East Africa Gateway Terminal Limited, had transformed operations.
“The time taken to service vessels at the port has been reduced from an average of 30 days to an average of six days for container ships,” Mr Msigwa said, adding that the gains included time spent at anchorage.
Cargo throughput rose to 27.7 million tonnes in 2024/25, a 17 per cent increase from the previous year, while customs revenue climbed to Sh12.33 trillion, up from Sh10.55 trillion in 2023/24.
The improvements, he said, were also cutting operating costs by about 57 per cent and lifting TPA’s profit margin to an average of 78 per cent.
The port’s regional footprint has widened, handling millions of tonnes for landlocked neighbours, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, reinforcing Tanzania’s role in East and Central African trade.
Beyond ports, Mr Msigwa reported strong momentum in domestic revenue collection. Average monthly collections reached Sh3.13 trillion between July and December 2025, compared with Sh1.51 trillion in 2020/21.
He attributed part of the progress to tax digitisation, saying the Integrated Domestic Revenue Administration System was designed “streamlining service delivery and tax administration.”
He also provided an update on the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, saying the 1,443-kilometre project from Hoima to Tanga had reached 79 per cent completion by December 31, 2025.
“This project is expected to be completed by July 2026,”he said.
The project has generated more than 9,000 jobs, with Tanzanians accounting for about 80 per cent of the workforce, and channelled Sh1.325 trillion to local suppliers.
Looking ahead, Mr Msigwa said ongoing port expansions and strategic infrastructure would cement Tanzania’s competitiveness.
“Upon completion, the improvement projects will enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of our ports.” he said, signalling a continued focus on delivery over the remainder of the term.
