African Development Bank Redirects $98 Million to Upgrade Bulamata–Uvinza Road, Boosting Regional Trade in Western Tanzania
The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved the reallocation of US$98 million in project savings to finance the completion of a key road infrastructure project aimed at improving regional connectivity in western Tanzania.
The decision, endorsed by the AfDB Boards of Directors on 10 December 2025, allows unused funds from the completed Transport Sector Support Programme to be redirected to the Bulamata–Uvinza Road Upgrading Project (Lot B).
The total cost of the project is US$129 million, with the AfDB contributing US$98.17 million. This financing package includes US$22.64 million from the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional lending arm.
The project will upgrade the Bulamata–Msombwe road to bitumen standard and include the construction of a 250-metre bridge over the Malagarasi River.
Additional works include a rail overpass, feeder and connecting roads, and community infrastructure such as markets, solar-powered street lighting, boreholes, and parking facilities.
Upon completion, the upgraded road will connect to the 342.9-kilometre Tabora–Koga–Mpanda Road, forming a strategic transport corridor linking Mpanda District to the Central Corridor railway and the Port of Dar es Salaam.
This enhanced connectivity is expected to improve western Tanzania’s access to national markets and facilitate cross-border trade with Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan.
Zerfu Tessema, AfDB’s Division Manager for Transport in East Africa, said closing the remaining gap along the corridor would significantly improve access to essential services while strengthening regional competitiveness.
He noted that the project would make the movement of people and goods faster, safer, and more reliable.
The upgraded corridor is expected to reduce travel time by more than 50 percent, particularly improving reliability during the rainy season.
Communities along the route will gain better access to schools, health facilities, and administrative centres.
Improved market access for agricultural productsincluding coffee, bananas, maize, and groundnuts is expected to boost farmer incomes.
In addition, enhanced connectivity is likely to stimulate growth in tourism, mining, fisheries, and agro-processing across the Kigoma and Katavi regions.
The project is also expected to advance women’s economic empowerment by improving access to employment opportunities and markets.
