The Minister of State in the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Professor Riziki Shemdoe, has stated that the Government has begun a key implementation phase of the Msimbazi River Basin Development Project. This project aims to resolve the long-standing challenge of flooding in the city of Dar es Salaam.
Speaking on Monday, April 20, 2026, during the contract signing ceremony held at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam, Professor Shemdoe said the project is part of a broader government strategy to build a safe, resilient city with economic opportunities.
He added that the implementation of the project will save the lives of citizens living in high-risk areas by relocating them with appropriate compensation, while simultaneously opening up new areas to stimulate economic activities.
“We are not just widening the river channel; we are laying the foundation for a better future for our city by making this area safe and economically productive,” said Professor Shemdoe.
He further stated that the Government will continue to collaborate with development partners to ensure the project is implemented efficiently and completed within the scheduled timeframe.
Key Features of the Project
- Hydraulic Improvements: Widening and deepening of the Msimbazi River.
- Infrastructure: Construction of a new 390-meter-long Jangwani bridge.
- Transport: Construction of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) depot in the Ubungo Maziwa area.
Project Costs and Funding
The project is estimated to cost $260 million, funded through:
- Concessional loans from the World Bank and the Government of Spain.
- Grants from the Government of the Netherlands.
Contract Details
The initial implementation contract for the valley’s improvement, valued at 195.66 billion TZS, was signed by a joint venture between China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and China Railway Construction Corporation Harbour Channel Engineering Bureau Group Co., Ltd.
The implementation of this project is expected to transform the landscape of the Msimbazi Basin and significantly reduce the impact of floods that have long affected the residents of Dar es Salaam.