Rwanda-bound transit cargo through Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam Port rose by 24 percent to 2.18 million tonnes in the 2025/26 financial year, as Tanzania invests in infrastructure linking the port to landlocked markets. In general, transit cargo through Dar es Salaam rose by 17 percent to 14.61 million tonnes during the same financial year, according to official port data reported by Tanzanian media. ALSO READ: New deal to let Rwandan traders clear goods remotely from Tanzania The increase comes as Tanzania expands infrastructure along the Central Corridor, including the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), dry ports and roads. According to Tanzania’s Ministry of Transport, cargo transported to neighbouring countries reached 10.93 million tonnes between July 2025 and March 2026, up from 8.24 million tonnes during the same period a year earlier, an increase of 32.64 percent. The ministry said Tanzania Ports Authority uses offices in Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, DRC and Zimbabwe to promote its ports and attract transit cargo. ALSO READ: Rwanda signs deal to import petroleum through Tanzania's Port of Tanga Kwala Dry Port is emerging as a key part of Tanzania’s strategy. The ministry says Kwala had handled 14,460 containers by March 2026. Tanzania has allocated space at the dry port for Rwanda, DR Congo, Burundi, Zambia, Uganda, Malawi, South Sudan and Zimbabwe to develop infrastructure for handling their cargo. Tanzania is also conducting a feasibility study to connect Kwala to the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and establish an SGR station there. The ministry says completion of the SGR along the Central Corridor will improve cargo movement from Dar es Salaam to neighbouring countries, including Rwanda. “Completion of the SGR project along the Central Corridor will enable more efficient transportation of cargo from Dar es Salaam Port to neighbouring countries including DRC, Zambia, Malawi, Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda and Zimbabwe.” The growth in cargo is also putting pressure on Tanzania’s transport infrastructure. Cargo handled at Dar es Salaam increased from 16.26 million tonnes in 2020/21 to 27.76 million tonnes in 2024/25.
