Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – June 2025
On the sidelines of the Central Corridor Inter-State Council of Ministers meeting held in Dar es Salaam, a landmark step toward regional trade facilitation was taken as the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United Republic of Tanzania officially handed over land titles for the development of dry ports along the Central Corridor.
H.E. Jean Pierre Bemba Gombo, Minister of Transports, Ways of Communication and Opening Up of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and H.E. Prof. Makame Mbarawa, Minister of Transports of the United Republic of Tanzania, presided over the official handover ceremony, which marked a strategic milestone in strengthening the Central Corridor as a reliable trade route for East and Central Africa.
The land concessions granted total 120 hectares, 60 hectares in the DRC, specifically in Kasumbalesa and Kasenga, and 60 hectares in Tanzania, covering the strategic locations of Kwalaand Katosho. These dry port sites will play a pivotal role in decongesting the port of Dar es Salaam, streamlining customs operations, and facilitating faster cargo clearance.
By decentralizing the port of Dar es Salaam services and moving them closer to the hinterlands, dry ports will reduce turnaround times, enhance border efficiency, and minimize costs for businesses operating across the corridor. Furthermore, this initiative contributes to job creation, local development, and improved logistics competitiveness in the region.
The Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency commended the two governments for their commitment to fast-tracking implementation, stressing that the development of these dry ports will significantly boost trade resilience and accelerate regional integration.