CCM Presidential Candidate Samia Suluhu Hassan has unveiled a major plan to turn Katavi into Tanzania’s next logistics and trade powerhouse, connecting the country’s western corridor to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia and Burundi through investment in multi-transport infrastructure.

Addressing a campaign rally at CCM Azimio Grounds in Mpanda Municipality today October 18, Samia said Katavi and neighbouring Rukwa have, in the past decade, benefited from major government investment in roads, ports, air transport and community empowerment.
 She pledged to scale up those developments to unlock cross-border trade and transform the region’s economy.
“I’m happy to be received with such warmth, not only by our supporters but even by the birds that flew around the rally grounds,” she joked, drawing applause from the crowd.
“We are now focusing on Katavi and Rukwa — regions that have seen strong government investment over the past 10 to 15 years. They are now ready to become Tanzania’s new trade and transport zones.”
Samia emphasised that the newly completed Karema Port, built at a cost of 47bn/- on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, is set to revolutionise water transport and regional commerce.
“The port will simplify cargo and passenger movement between Tanzania and our neighbours — the DRC, Burundi and Zambia,” she said.
“The government is also constructing four new cargo vessels on Lake Tanganyika, and by 2030, we want to see major trade flows between Tanzania and the DRC passing through this port.”
She explained that the marine investments are being matched by upgrades in rail transport, with designs completed for the rehabilitation of the 210-kilometre Kaliua–Mpanda railway line, expected to reduce travel time from seven hours to just two or three hours.
“This will strengthen our logistics chain linking port, rail and road transport,” she added.
Samia said construction is progressing on the 250.4-kilometre Mpanda–Vikonge–Luhafwe–Mishamo–Uvinza highway, which links Katavi and Kigoma regions. The project has reached 15.7 percent completion, and she promised to speed up the works.

She also announced priority plans to tarmac the Mpanda–Ugala–Kaliua road and build new bridges at Kakese–Itenka, Ugala, Kasokola, and Ilepo — vital connections to ease mobility across rural districts.
Samia further pledged to resolve compensation claims from residents affected by earlier road projects, saying, “We will investigate all pending claims and ensure that verified cases are fully paid.”
To sustain the growing economy, Samia revealed that Katavi will soon host a major international crop market, modern slaughter facilities to promote meat exports, and industrial zones in every district.
She also said the government is improving Mpanda Airport by constructing a new passenger terminal, expanding air connectivity to support trade and tourism.
“We are strengthening every mode of transport  water, rail, road and air, because Katavi’s location gives it enormous potential to become a regional economic hub,” she said.
Samia said access to clean and safe water in rural Katavi has increased from 62.2 percent to 77.3 percent, while in Mpanda Municipality it has risen from 47 percent to 60 percent.
She pledged to build modern water filtration plants at Mamba, Nsenkwa, and Ilunde, and to extend geothermal water systems to Usevya and Kibaoni villages.
In health, she announced ongoing work at the Katavi Regional Referral Hospital, including construction of a new laundry block, mortuary and a waiting area for patients’ relatives.
A new bridge will also be built to connect Mpanda Municipality with Nsimbo District Council across the Mpanda River, along with expanded wastewater treatment.

Samia said the government will expand irrigation schemes at Mwamapuli and Msadya, and design new ones at Kilida and Mirumba, boosting production and creating jobs. She commended former Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda for promoting honey production and pledged new fish cages and dams on Lake Tanganyika to support aquaculture.
CCM Secretary General Dr Asha-Rose Migiro lauded Samia’s leadership, saying she has “governed with integrity, accountability and tangible results” over the past five years.
She noted that Katavi alone has received 1.3 trillion shillings for projects in health, water, agriculture, energy and infrastructure.
“Let us turn out early on October 29 and vote for Samia and all CCM candidates — by doing so, we vote for the nation’s progress,” urged one Special Seats aspirant.
Iramba West parliamentary aspirant, Mwigulu Nchemba told the rally that Tanzania’s economy remains strong, with foreign reserves of $6.7 billion (16trn/-).
He dismissed misinformation that the government is printing money, saying:
“No country can print money at will — it’s a process that takes years. Those spreading falsehoods aim to tarnish our country’s image.”
He added that increased government revenue from approximately 1.5trn/- to over 3trn/- and has enabled the construction of over 600 health centres, 2,000 dispensaries, and nearly 97,000 new classrooms nationwide.
Hussein Bashe, Nzega parliamentary aspirant, said Katavi is among the top five food-producing regions in Tanzania, with strong output of rice, maize, sesame and tobacco.
“When we came to power, fertiliser usage stood at only 8,000 tonnes; today it has reached 19,000 tonnes thanks to subsidies,” he said.
He added that 180bn/- irrigation projects covering 11,600 hectares will be implemented in the next five years.
Bashe said the agriculture sector’s growth has risen from 2.7 percent in 2021 to 5 percent today, while Tanzania’s agricultural exports have increased from $1 billion to $3.5 billion.
“Maize production alone has jumped from 7 million tonnes in 2021 to 12 million tonnes this season,” he said.
Western Zone CCM Election Coordinator and former Prime Minister, Pinda said irrigation projects covering 55,000 hectares will transform Katavi’s agriculture and livelihoods.
“These investments will make Katavi a new agricultural frontier,” he said.