Africa-Press – Tanzania. KATAVI Region has recorded significant development milestones over the past five years, following major investments into key sectors under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Katavi Regional Commissioner, Ms Mwanamvua Mrindoko, said the region received a total of 1.345tri/- between 2020 and 2025, which was directed towards stimulating economic growth, enhancing public service delivery and strengthening governance and accountability.
She spoke of the positive trend in Dodoma on Thursday while addressing journalists during a briefing on the region’s development achievements recorded during President Samia’s four years in office.
Ms Mwanamvua Mrindoko, described the development strides made under the current government as exceptional and historic, particularly in the education sector.
“We have seen remarkable progress during this administration. What has been done under the current government is exceptional and historic,” Ms Mrindoko told reporters in Dodoma.
She said a total of 58.09bn/- has been invested to improve education infrastructure and the overall learning environment in the region.
As of June 2025, Katavi had 293 primary schools, 278 public and 15 private as well as 79 secondary schools, of which 74 are public.
“This has greatly reduced walking distances for students and helped ease congestion in classrooms,” she noted.
Ms Mrindoko further highlighted the ongoing implementation of two Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) college projects in Tanganyika and Mlele districts, valued at 3.23bn/-.
In addition, she said, the Mizengo Pinda Campus of the Sokoine University of Agriculture has received 17.46bn/- for the construction of new hostels and classrooms to enhance learning capacity and students’ accommodation.
In health, Ms Mrindoko said the region received 41.63bn/- to upgrade the Regional Referral Hospital, four district hospitals, 11 health centres, and 47 dispensaries.
“Previously, people had to travel to Mbeya or Dodoma for specialised care. Today, we have dialysis and other critical services available locally,” she said.
Turning to water access, Ms Mrindoko said five major water projects worth 32.16bn/- are underway and expected to raise water coverage to over 100 per cent.
One of the key initiatives, she said, is the Milala Dam water supply scheme, which is part of the 28-town water projects. It is expected to produce 12 million litres of water per day for Mpanda Municipality. As of June 2025, the project had reached 42 per cent of implementation and is scheduled to be completed in October this year.
On energy, she said that 196.4bn/- had been invested to expand access. “By June 2025, Katavi has been connected to the national grid, and electricity is operational in various districts,” said the RC.
She added that the number of industries rose from 873 in 2021 to 1,782 in June 2025, thanks to reliable electricity that supports agro-processing.
The government also allocated 410.98bn/- for strategic and national projects. “Once completed, the network of the region’s paved roads will increase from 325km to 548km,” she said.
One major milestone was the completion of the 47.97bn/- Karema Port on Lake Tanganyika, which now facilitates passenger and cargo transport. Four cargo vessels are being built to support trade with DRC, Rwanda, Zambia and Burundi.
In air transport, Ms Mrindoko said the region received 1.44bn/- for the construction of a passenger and administration terminal at Mpanda Airport, which is now complete and in use.
“The region now enjoys reliable air transport services between Mpanda and Dar es Salaam, with Air Tanzania operating flights three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays,” she said.
She added: “The availability of regular flights through the national carrier has greatly enhanced connectivity and boosted economic and social activities for the people of Katavi.”
The RC also noted that the region continues to benefit from the ongoing rehabilitation of the central railway line from Kaliua to Mpanda, a 210-kilometre stretch valued at 379.37bn/-. By May 2025, the project had reached 25.6 per cent implementation, with 60.48bn/- already disbursed.
Over five years, the region collected 118.53bn/- in revenue, with 28.45bn/- from TRA, 70.88bn/- from local authorities and 27.46bn/- from mineral sales.
“A favourable business climate created by the sixthphase government has driven this success,” she said.
Ms Mrindoko said agriculture, livestock and fisheries account for 90 per cent of the region’s GDP and employ about 85 per cent of its population.
She further noted that Katavi is among the few regions in Tanzania with extensive natural vegetation, with 50 per cent of its land area covered by natural forests.
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