THE Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads) has introduced a cutting-edge lightweight asphalt technology, marking a significant milestone in the country's infrastructure development.

Known as Fast Track Emulsion Primer-C55, the new material is being used for the first time in the construction of the Dodoma Outer Ring Road. The breakthrough was announced in Dodoma yesterday by Mussa Mataka, Tanroads Head of Research and Development, during a media briefing on the rollout of the technology.

“C55 is an emulsion made from bitumen and water. It will be applied to the base layer of the road—constructed using crushed stone—before the final asphalt layer is laid,” he explained.

He highlighted that the technology is not only environmentally-friendly and cost-effective but also accelerates the construction process significantly. “This is the first time this type of primer is being used in Tanzania. Its application allows us to work faster, with lower environmental impact and at reduced cost,” Mataka added.

The C55 emulsion is manufactured in Spain and imported to Tanzania through collaboration between a Spanish firm and a local partner.Mataka praised the government for supporting innovation in the construction sector, saying the adoption of modern, high-quality and affordable technologies is key to achieving national development goals.

Resident Engineer for the first phase of the Dodoma Outer Ring Road project, Tendai Kanda, echoed this sentiment, stating that the new primer allows for asphalt laying to begin within just one hour of application.

“This saves time, reduces delays, and helps us stay on track with the construction timeline,” Kanda said. Johnson Kilonzo, a materials engineer with China Civil Engineering Corporation—the main contractor for the project—said the technology is safer and more environmentally-friendly compared to traditional primers which often contain kerosene.

“C55 eliminates the hazards associated with conventional materials. It’s a major improvement in terms of both safety and environmental impact,” he said.