DAR ES SALAAM – President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan has officially launched the East African Community Logistics Centre (EACLC) in Ubungo, Dar es Salaam, emphasising that the project will establish Tanzania as a key business hub for the entire African continent. Speaking today, August 1, 2025, during the inauguration, President Samia stated that the centre is a crucial step toward strengthening the nation’s economy by increasing government revenue, creating jobs for the youth, and boosting the competitiveness of Tanzanian products in regional and international markets.
“The EACLC will serve as a business and logistics hub for all East African countries, connecting producers, distributors, sellers, and consumers from both inside and outside of Tanzania,” said President Samia. She added that the facility, which includes modern warehouses, business offices, and all essential logistics services in one location, will significantly reduce the cost and time of transporting goods.
The President noted that the project aligns with the government’s strategy to build a digital economy, as many of the center’s operations will be managed using modern electronic systems. She stressed that the center is not meant to compete with traders in Kariakoo but rather to provide a platform for educating them on improved systems and technology use to increase their profits.
President Samia called on the Director of the EACLC, Dr. Lisa Wang Xiangyun, to organise a meeting between Kariakoo traders and those at the new centre to share knowledge on using modern technology in business, thereby preventing revenue loss for the government.
Minister Kitila Urges Businesspeople to Use the Centre’s Opportunities
For his part, the Minister of State, President’s Office of Planning and Investment, Professor Kitila Mkumbo, urged businesspeople to leverage the opportunities offered by the centre to enhance their operations. He stated that the centre would enable them to use modern digital systems for improved efficiency and stressed that all products leaving the facility would meet internationally accepted standards, which would increase the competitiveness of Tanzanian goods in the global market.
“This centre will foster cooperation between the private sectors of Tanzania and China and encourage the sale of higher-value goods to Chinese and other international markets,” said Professor Mkumbo.
Gilead Teri, the Director-General of the Tanzania Investment and Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA), provided more details on the project’s benefits. He stated that the centre, which cost Shillings 282.7 billion to build, is expected to create over 15,000 direct jobs and more than 50,000 indirect jobs. The facility is also projected to contribute approximately $8.2 million to government revenue annually.
“The main goal of this centre is to simplify trade, increase government revenue, boost foreign exchange availability, and enhance the competitiveness of the Dar es Salaam port,” Teri explained.
The EACLC’s Director, Dr. Lisa Wang Xiangyun, noted that the centre would reduce regional business operational costs by 30 per cent. She added that it would create opportunities to export products like maize, beans, coffee, sesame, cashews, honey, and wine to international markets, including China.
Zanzibar Pledges Support, Calls on Traders to Learn from the Centre
Omary Said Shaban, the Minister of Trade and Industrial Development of Zanzibar, emphasised the project’s national importance, describing it as the execution of a plan to make Tanzania a business hub for Africa. He encouraged businesspeople to view the centre as a catalyst for business improvement and a learning opportunity, rather than a competitor.