COLLABORATION between ship operators, port authorities, cargo movers and the tax authorities explain the manner in which Dar es Salaam port and others are increasingly becoming regional hubs.

Emmanuel Mallya, chairman of EB Maritime, made this observation at the second annual East Africa cargo connect summit held over the weekend in Dar es Salaam, where he also received a lifetime achievement award for his contributions in the sector.

He said that the four critical areas within the transport chain have contributed to the success of Tanzania’s port sector, enabling auxiliary sub-sectors like rail, road and dry ports to function effectively and with assured profit projections.

Positive working relationships between the stakeholder groups have contributed to the success of the port sector, he affirmed at the pivotal meeting bringing together experts from the maritime sector, aviation, railways and road transportation, to explore solutions to industry challenges and identify investment opportunities to drive sector growth.

Key topics discussed included improving infrastructure, reducing trade barriers and streamlining customs processes to ensure smoother, cost-effective movement of goods across borders.

Key organizers emphasized that collaboration across sectors is crucial for identifying shared solutions and unlocking investment opportunities, with the summit urging stronger public-private partnerships to support the region’s transport and logistics infrastructure.

The summit convened by the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) also addressed sector challenges, targeting improving port services and creating investment opportunities in the country’s transport infrastructure. 

It involved the presentation of excellence awards, where Plasduce Mbossa, the TPA managing director, was presented the Tanzania maritime visionary leadership award for his leadership in the sector.

He said in his remarks that the summit plays a key role in shaping the future of transport in the region, with intent to position East Africa as a noticeable global trade hub.

Fatma Adadi, the TPA chief marketing officer, praised the stakeholders for working to organise the event, stressing the need to meet regularly to discuss a sector that has played a significant role in driving economic growth and development.

Regular dialogue among stakeholders is vital to improve productivity, she said, urging transport and logistics operators to work towards improving the industry and ensuring that services renders maintain high standards.

Stephen Mpuya, head of business solutions at Stanbic Bank (T), highlighted the importance of investments in trade infrastructure and financial solutions to empower businesses. 

The bank was keen on supporting national development, he said, citing its involvement in projects like the Dar es Salaam Maritime Gateway Project (DMGP), the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and co-financing one stop border posts (OSBPs) to enhance trade and customs clearance.

In just two years, the bank has provided over $1bn in loan financing, crucial for key infrastructure and trade-related projects positioning Tanzania as a regional logistics and maritime trade hub. 

Accelerating infrastructure investments, streamlining trade processes and providing businesses with the financial tools to thrive are essential to the sector, he added.