What You Need to Know
The Tanzania Roads Agency (TANROADS) is undertaking 79 major road and bridge projects across the country, valued at 6 trillion shillings. This initiative aims to improve infrastructure and stimulate economic growth, with significant portions of the road network already completed or under construction. Local participation and job creation are also key focuses of these projects.
Africa-Press – Tanzania. Tanzania Roads Agency (TANROADS) is executing 79 major road and bridge projects nationwide worth 6tri/-, as the country ramps up infrastructure investment to unlock its economic potential.
Acting Chief Executive, Eng Ephatar Mlavi, said in Dodoma yesterday that the agency has implemented road projects covering 5,769.74 kilometres.
Of these, 1,495.45 km have been completed to tarmac standard, while 3,677.67 km are under construction.
He added that, alongside development projects, the government allocates about 500bn/- annually for road and bridge maintenance.
Eng Mlavi said another 2,052.94 km of roads and two bridges have completed feasibility studies and detailed design, while eight major bridges have been built over the past five years.
The completed bridges include J.P. Magufuli, Tanzanite, Msingi, Wami, Kiyegeya, Kitengule, Gerezani and Ruhuhu.
According to the agency’s report, the country’s road network had expanded to 182,164.41 km by December 2025.
Of this, 37,734.41 km are national roads managed by TANROADS, while 144,430 km fall under TARURA.
Eng Mlavi said the projects have also boosted local participation and employment, with 16,730 jobs created between January and December 2025.
However, local participation in major projects remains low at about 10 percent.
To address this, the agency has introduced measures including reserving all maintenance works for local contractors and allocating 10 percent of the development budget for training projects.
He added that projects worth 53.6bn/- have been earmarked for women contractors, while 30 percent of the development budget is reserved for special groups, including youth, women, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
TANROADS has also raised the procurement threshold for local firms from 10bn/- to 50bn/-.
Despite the progress, Eng Mlavi cited climate change as a key challenge affecting infrastructure.
“Extreme weather damages infrastructure. The government is implementing resilient designs and emergency projects,” he said.
He also pointed to rapid urbanisation, which has necessitated projects such as BRT systems in Dar es Salaam, road expansions, flyovers, ring roads and bypasses in cities including Dodoma, Arusha and Iringa.
“The government, through TANROADS, will continue strengthening construction and maintenance programmes using modern approaches to ensure roads remain accessible throughout the year,” he said.
Tanzania has been investing heavily in infrastructure to support its economic development. The government has recognized that a robust road network is crucial for enhancing trade and connectivity within the country and with neighboring regions. Over the years, TANROADS has played a pivotal role in executing various road and bridge projects, contributing to the expansion of the national road network and improving access to remote areas.
In recent years, Tanzania’s infrastructure development has faced challenges such as climate change and rapid urbanization. The government has responded by implementing resilient designs and focusing on sustainable practices in construction. This approach aims
