The Tanzanian government has initiated the process of establishing the Dar es Salaam Metropolitan Authority, aimed at enhancing coordination of public services and addressing urban development challenges that transcend municipal boundaries. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Festo Dugange, announced this development in Parliament on October 29, 2026. He stated that technical assessments and consultations have been conducted to determine the suitable structure and legal framework for the proposed authority.
According to Mr. Dugange, the government is reviewing proposals to create an institution responsible for coordinating issues affecting more than one municipal council. The authority will oversee cross-cutting matters, including urban planning, transport, infrastructure, and public service delivery. This initiative is driven by Dar es Salaam's rapid population growth and the need to strengthen cooperation among local government authorities in the region.
The proposed authority is expected to provide a framework for coordinating development planning and service delivery in areas where municipal responsibilities overlap. This will potentially improve the management of challenges affecting Dar es Salaam as a whole. Kigamboni MP Haran Sanga urged the government to expedite the process, citing population projections indicating that Dar es Salaam could have over 10 million residents by 2030.
Mr. Sanga argued that the city's expanding population and economic activities require a coordinated management system. He emphasized the necessity of establishing an authority capable of addressing challenges beyond individual municipal boundaries. In response, Mr. Dugange acknowledged Dar es Salaam's growing importance as Tanzania's commercial hub, noting that population growth and expanding economic activities call for stronger coordination.
The government has commissioned an assessment of the proposed authority and consulted French consultancy SPIA Company Limited, which is working with a Tanzanian firm. Two technical documents have been prepared and are being harmonized into a single comprehensive proposal to guide the establishment of the authority. Mr. Dugange stated that the government has already started taking steps, including preparing an assessment and conducting consultations.
The harmonization of the two technical documents is currently underway, with the aim of producing one comprehensive proposal that will guide the establishment of the authority. However, Mr. Dugange did not provide a specific deadline for completing the process, stating that further steps would be taken after the reviews and necessary procedures have been concluded.
The establishment of the Dar es Salaam Metropolitan Authority is expected to improve the administrative structure of Dar es Salaam, addressing the city's rapid population growth and urban development challenges. The authority will play a crucial role in coordinating cross-cutting matters affecting more than one municipality, ensuring a more effective management of the city's growth and development.
Key points
- The Tanzanian government has started harmonizing plans for the Dar es Salaam Metropolitan Authority to improve public service coordination and address urban development challenges.
- The proposed authority will oversee cross-cutting matters, including urban planning, transport, infrastructure, and public service delivery.
- The establishment of the authority is driven by Dar es Salaam's rapid population growth, projected to reach over 10 million residents by 2030.
