By Esther Mnyika, Dar es Salaam
President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan is set to officially open the East African Commerce and Logistics Centre (EACLC) in Ubungo, Dar es Salaam, on August 1st of this year. This new hub, boasting over 2000 shops and occupying 75,000 square meters, is anticipated to significantly boost economic growth through trade and increase revenue, further positioning Dar es Salaam as a key regional business hub.
Speaking today, July 31, 2025, the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Albert Chalamila, highlighted the center’s inauguration as a strategic investment forged through a partnership between the Tanzanian government and investors from China. The EACLC, constructed at a cost of $100 million, features laboratories, ample parking facilities, and modern offices.
The project is considered a significant stride in Tanzania’s broader economic strategy, which aims to modernize its trade environment, boost trade competitiveness, and drive industrial-led socio-economic transformation. Tanzania’s National Trade Policy, revised in 2023, emphasizes policy coherence, robust institutional frameworks, and enhanced trade integration. The EACLC aligns with these goals by streamlining the flow of goods and attracting foreign direct investments.
Regional Commissioner Chalamila assured that the establishment of this center would not negatively impact opportunities for Tanzanians, drawing a parallel to previous successful joint ventures like Mlimani City. Mlimani City, launched in 2006, was Tanzania’s first indoor air-conditioned mall and remains a major commercial complex in Dar es Salaam, owned by Turnstar Holdings. He extended an invitation to all investors and Tanzanians to engage in business at the new facility.
The location, Ubungo, is strategically important. Historically a major transport hub for Dar es Salaam, including the former Ubungo Bus Terminal which was relocated to Mbezi Mwisho. This area is now being transformed into a modern commercial zone with enhanced logistics and transport infrastructure. The EACLC’s proximity to major transport networks, including the long-distance bus terminal and connections to aviation, railway, highway, and port transportation, gives it an excellent geographical advantage.
The project’s development showcases the growing economic partnership between Tanzania and China. China has emerged as a key stakeholder in Tanzania’s infrastructure development through trade agreements, development aid, and direct investment, with projects ranging from the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to hydropower plants and industrial factories. Chinese investment in Tanzania reached $7.6 billion in 2020, making China the largest foreign investor in the country in 2021, primarily directed towards infrastructure.
The EACLC is designed to support the East African Community’s (EAC) objectives of regional economic integration. The EAC, re-established in 2000, aims to foster economic efficiency and integrate its member states into a single investment area, promoting free movement of goods, persons, services, labor, and capital. Analysts suggest the EACLC will elevate Dar es Salaam to a regional business hub comparable to Dubai, fostering domestic, regional, and international trade. It is expected to contribute approximately $8.19 million in direct annual revenue to the government and $150 million in foreign exchange earnings.
The Regional Commissioner further explained that the relocation of the Ubungo bus stand paved the way for this project, with construction commencing in May 2023 and now 99% complete.
Chalamila urged investors to continue pursuing impactful projects in the country and to engage with relevant authorities. He also called upon Tanzanians to turn out in large numbers for the upcoming inauguration. The center is also poised to improve infrastructure connectivity, streamline trade, and bring quality products to African markets while enabling premium African goods to reach global households, promoting mutual benefit.