The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries has unveiled an ambitious infrastructure development programme for the 2026/2027 fiscal year, with major investments in fishing ports, livestock markets, milk collection centres, and processing facilities across Tanzania. The programme aims to modernise value chains, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance market access for producers.

Bagamoyo Fishing Port: Flagship Maritime Project

The centrepiece of the fisheries infrastructure programme is the Bagamoyo Fishing Port, which will serve as Tanzania’s premier fishing harbour and processing hub. The project has completed detailed design during 2025/2026, with construction scheduled to begin in the 2026/2027 fiscal year.

Project Scope and Design

The Bagamoyo Fishing Port is designed as an integrated facility serving multiple functions:

Landing Facilities: Deep-water berths for industrial fishing vessels, jetties for artisanal fishing boats, and mooring facilities for various vessel sizes. The port will accommodate both domestic and foreign vessels operating in Tanzania’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

Processing Infrastructure: Modern fish processing plants with cold chain facilities, ice-making plants, freezing rooms, and packaging facilities. Processing infrastructure will enable value addition before export or distribution to domestic markets.

Storage and Logistics: Cold storage warehouses for frozen fish products, ambient storage for dried and smoked fish, and handling facilities for rapid cargo transfer. Storage capacity will reduce dependence on immediate transport and allow producers to target premium markets.

Support Services: Fuel supply, fresh water, equipment repair workshops, gear storage, and crew facilities. Comprehensive support services will make Bagamoyo an attractive base for fishing operations.

Market and Trading: Fish auction facilities, wholesale market structures, and trading platforms connecting producers with buyers. Market infrastructure will improve price discovery and ensure fair returns to fishers.

Strategic Location

Bagamoyo’s coastal location positions it ideally for:

– Access to productive marine fishing grounds

– Proximity to Dar es Salaam’s major consumption market

– Connection to export routes through maritime shipping

– Availability of supporting infrastructure (roads, electricity, telecommunications)

The port will complement existing fishing infrastructure at Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, and Tanga, creating a network of modern facilities serving Tanzania’s fishing industry.

Economic Impact

The Bagamoyo port is expected to:

– Increase industrial fishing capacity

– Generate employment in fishing, processing, and logistics

– Enhance foreign exchange earnings through exports

– Improve fish supply to domestic markets

– Support Blue Economy development objectives

Fishing Markets Development

The Ministry is constructing three new fishing markets providing modern infrastructure for fish trade:

Manda Fishing Market (Ludewa District)

Located in Njombe Region near Lake Nyasa, Manda market will serve fishing communities operating in Tanzania’s southern inland fisheries. The market will include:

– Covered trading areas protecting fish from sun and contamination

– Clean water supply for fish washing

– Ice storage and distribution facilities

– Sanitary facilities for traders and buyers

– Vehicle access and parking

The market addresses chronic infrastructure deficits that have forced traders to conduct business under unhygienic conditions, resulting in quality deterioration and post-harvest losses.

Zingibari Fishing Market (Mkinga District)

Situated in Tanga Region on the northern coast, Zingibari market will serve marine fishing communities in the Indian Ocean zone. The facility will provide:

– Modern landing and handling facilities

– Cold chain infrastructure

– Processing areas for value addition

– Market structures with adequate space and facilities

– Waste management systems

The market will improve marketing efficiency and enable fishers to access better prices through quality improvement and reduced spoilage.

Kasanga Fishing Market (Kalambo District)

Located in Rukwa Region on Lake Tanganyika, Kasanga market serves one of Tanzania’s most productive fisheries. Lake Tanganyika produces high-value fish including Nile perch and endemic species prized in export markets. The market infrastructure will:

– Facilitate export trade to regional markets

– Improve quality standards through proper handling

– Reduce post-harvest losses

– Create employment in trading and processing

– Generate revenue for local government

All three markets are scheduled for completion during 2026/2027, with construction already underway.

Fishing Landing Sites

Three fishing landing sites are nearing completion, providing essential infrastructure for artisanal fishing operations:

Ng’ombo Landing Site (Lake Nyasa)

Ng’ombo serves fishing communities on Lake Nyasa/Malawi in southern Tanzania. The landing site includes:

– Jetty and boat mooring facilities

– Fish washing and handling areas

– Temporary storage structures

– Access roads for fish transport

– Basic amenities for fishers

Chifunfu Landing Site (Sengerema District)

Located on Lake Victoria, Chifunfu landing site serves one of Tanzania’s most productive fishing zones. Lake Victoria fishing supports thousands of livelihoods in the Lake Zone. The facility provides:

– Improved landing infrastructure

– Cold chain facilities

– Market space

– Water and sanitation

Igabiro Landing Site (Bukoba District)

Situated in Kagera Region on Lake Victoria, Igabiro complements other landing sites serving the lake’s fishing industry. The infrastructure supports both fishing operations and initial fish handling before transport to markets.

These landing sites represent government investment in artisanal fishing—the backbone of Tanzania’s fisheries employing over 200,000 fishers.

Aquaculture Breeding Centre

The Ministry is developing the Mwamapuli Aquaculture Breeding Centre to ensure adequate supply of quality fish fingerlings for fish farmers. The centre will:

– Produce fingerlings of priority species (tilapia, catfish, carp)

– Maintain genetically improved broodstock

– Conduct breeding research

– Train fish farmers in hatchery management

– Supply fingerlings to government and private hatcheries

Inadequate fingerling availability has constrained aquaculture expansion. The breeding centre addresses this bottleneck, enabling rapid growth in fish farming.

Fisheries Resource Protection Stations

The Ministry is completing construction of the Sota Fisheries Resource Protection Station in Rorya District. The station will:

– Monitor fishing activities on Lake Victoria

– Enforce fishing regulations

– Combat illegal fishing practices

– Conduct surveillance patrols

– Coordinate with Beach Management Units

Similar stations are planned for other major fishing areas to strengthen resource protection and ensure sustainable exploitation.

Livestock Infrastructure Development

Whilst fisheries infrastructure dominates the 2026/2027 programme, significant livestock investments are also planned:

NARCO Slaughterhouse Rehabilitation

The National Ranching Company (NARCO) slaughterhouse in Dodoma is undergoing phased rehabilitation to achieve export standards. Phase two rehabilitation in 2026/2027 will:

– Upgrade processing equipment

– Improve hygienic design and sanitation systems

– Install cold chain infrastructure

– Enhance quality control systems

– Achieve certification for export markets

Dodoma slaughterhouse serves Tanzania’s central zone pastoral areas, processing cattle from Dodoma, Singida, and neighbouring regions. Export certification will enable access to premium international markets for high-quality beef.

Milk Collection Centres

The Ministry is constructing three milk collection centres providing essential infrastructure for dairy development:

Msomera Milk Collection Centre: Serving dairy farmers in northern regions, the centre will include cooling tanks, quality testing equipment, and storage facilities. Proper milk handling infrastructure reduces losses and improves prices for farmers.

Lushoto Milk Collection Centre: Located in Tanga Region’s highlands, Lushoto has substantial dairy potential due to favourable climate and crossbred cattle populations. The collection centre will aggregate milk from smallholder farmers for transport to processing plants.

Makambako Milk Collection Centre: Serving Njombe Region’s expanding dairy sector, Makambako centre will support commercial dairy development in the Southern Highlands. The region’s cool climate and improved breeds create comparative advantage for dairy production.

Each centre includes:

– Bulk cooling tanks preserving milk quality

– Quality testing laboratories

– Cleaning and sanitisation facilities

– Power backup systems

– Storage areas for supplies

The centres connect smallholder farmers with processing companies, improving market access whilst ensuring quality standards.

Generator Sheds

The Ministry is constructing 10 generator sheds providing backup power for critical facilities including:

– Milk cooling centres

– Fish cold storage

– Processing facilities

– Hatcheries and breeding centres

– Laboratory equipment

Reliable power supply is essential for cold chain maintenance and processing operations. Generator backup ensures continuity during grid power outages.

Breeding Infrastructure

National Artificial Insemination Centre (NAIC)

NAIC is receiving modern laboratory equipment and facilities to enhance breeding services. Planned investments include:

– Advanced semen processing equipment

– Liquid nitrogen production and storage facilities

– Quality control systems

– Biosafety infrastructure

– Six high-quality breeding bulls

The bulls will expand genetic diversity and improve production traits in the national dairy herd.

Livestock Multiplication Units (LMUs)

The Ministry operates farms producing improved breeding stock for distribution to farmers. Investments include:

Ngerengere and Mabuki Heifers Farms: Two deep boreholes will provide reliable water supply, and two valley dam rehabilitations will expand water storage. These investments enable year-round forage production supporting heifer rearing.

General LMU Support: Purchase of 120 breeding animals (bulls, rams, bucks) with associated equipment will strengthen genetic improvement programmes across the LMU network.

Pasture Development Infrastructure

The Ministry is investing in pasture seed production infrastructure:

Irrigation Systems

Irrigation infrastructure at Vikuge (Pwani Region) and Langwira (Mbeya Region) seed farms will enable reliable seed production independent of rainfall variability. Irrigation supports:

– Multiple cropping seasons annually

– Consistent seed quality

– Higher yields

– Controlled production schedules

Storage Facilities

Four seed and fodder storage warehouses will protect seeds from moisture, pests, and contamination whilst enabling bulk handling and distribution. Proper storage maintains seed viability and quality.

Staff Housing and Offices

Rehabilitation of 10 staff houses and construction of three offices at seed farms will improve working conditions and attract qualified personnel to remote facilities.

Mechanisation

Purchase of two tractors with implements will mechanise seed production operations including:

– Land preparation

– Planting

– Weed control

– Harvesting

– Transport

Mechanisation increases efficiency and reduces labour requirements for seed production.

Project Implementation Approach

The Ministry implements infrastructure projects through various modalities:

Direct Implementation

Government agencies including NARCO, NAIC, and the Department of Fisheries directly implement smaller projects using ministry staff and local contractors.

Contracted Construction

Major projects like Bagamoyo port and fishing markets are contracted to construction firms through competitive tendering. The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority oversees tendering to ensure transparency and value for money.

Development Partner Support

Some infrastructure projects receive funding from development partners including:

– World Bank support for fisheries infrastructure

– African Development Bank investments in livestock facilities

– Bilateral programmes from Japan, South Korea, Denmark

– Regional programmes through EAC and SADC

Partner funding complements domestic resources and brings technical expertise for complex projects.

Economic and Social Impact

Infrastructure investments generate multiple benefits:

Direct Economic Benefits

– Reduced post-harvest losses improving producer incomes

– Enhanced product quality commanding premium prices

– Expanded export opportunities earning foreign exchange

– Increased value addition creating employment

– Improved market access reducing transaction costs

Social Benefits

– Better working conditions for fishers and traders

– Improved food safety protecting consumer health

– Employment creation in construction and operations

– Skills development through training programmes

– Enhanced livelihoods for rural communities

Environmental Benefits

– Reduced waste through proper handling facilities

– Sustainable resource use through better monitoring

– Climate-resilient infrastructure

– Waste management systems preventing pollution

Challenges in Implementation

Infrastructure development faces several challenges:

Funding Constraints

Project costs often exceed available budgets, requiring phased implementation and prioritisation. The Ministry must balance competing demands across regions and sectors.

Technical Capacity

Complex projects require specialised skills not always available within government agencies. Partnerships with private sector and development organisations help bridge capacity gaps.

Maintenance Requirements

New infrastructure creates ongoing maintenance obligations. The Ministry must ensure adequate funding and capacity for maintenance to protect investments.

Geographic Distribution

Equitable distribution of infrastructure across regions whilst targeting areas with greatest impact requires careful planning and political sensitivity.

Community Engagement

Successful infrastructure projects require community support and participation. Consultation processes ensure projects meet user needs and generate local ownership.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The Ministry monitors infrastructure projects through:

– Regular site inspections by technical staff

– Progress reports from contractors and implementing agencies

– Third-party monitoring for major projects

– Community feedback mechanisms

– Performance indicators tracking completion and utilisation

Lessons learned from completed projects inform future planning and design.

Future Infrastructure Pipeline

Beyond 2026/2027, the Ministry has identified additional infrastructure priorities:

– Additional fishing ports in Mtwara and Tanga regions

– More livestock markets in high-density pastoral areas

– Processing facilities for value addition

– Research laboratories for quality control

– Training centres for capacity development

– Aquaculture demonstration farms

Conclusion

Tanzania’s livestock and fisheries infrastructure programme represents strategic investment in sectors critical to rural livelihoods and economic development. The 2026/2027 budget prioritises projects with high impact on productivity, market access, and income generation.

Completion of Bagamoyo fishing port, three fishing markets, milk collection centres, and NARCO slaughterhouse rehabilitation will modernise value chains and position Tanzania’s livestock and fisheries sectors for accelerated growth. These investments complement ongoing programmes in breeding, animal health, and extension services, creating comprehensive support systems for producers.

As infrastructure gaps gradually close through sustained investment, Tanzania’s livestock and fisheries sectors will increasingly realise their potential as drivers of inclusive economic growth, employment creation, and poverty reduction.

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