The Boards of Directors of the African Development Bank Group have approved the diversion of 98 million dollars in savings from the completed Transport Sector Support Program to finance the Bulamata–Uvinza Road Upgrading Project in western Tanzania. Approved on 10 December 2025, the project has a total cost of 129 million dollars, with AfDB providing 98.17 million dollars, including concessional funding from the African Development Fund.
The project will upgrade the Bulamata–Msombwe road to bitumen standard and construct a 250 metre bridge over the Malagarasi River, alongside a rail overpass and connecting roads. It also includes community infrastructure such as markets, solar lighting, boreholes, and parking areas. The road will link to the Tabora–Koga–Mpanda corridor, improving access to the Central Corridor railway and Dar es Salaam port.
AfDB officials said the project will cut travel time by more than half, improve access to services, and strengthen trade links with Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan. Enhanced connectivity is expected to boost agriculture, tourism, mining, and women’s economic participation across Kigoma and Katavi regions.
