THE Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has strengthened its position as the largest user of Tanzania’s ports after cargo volumes handled for the country increased by more than 73 percent in 2025.

A statement by the port authorities indicated that cargo destined for or originating from the DRC through Dar es Salaam and Tanga ports rose from 4,180,902 tonnes in 2024 to 7,239,741 tonnes in 2025, a complete change of landscape with a 73.2 percent increase.

The surge means the DRC now accounts for 51 per cent of all transit cargo handled through Tanzanian ports, cementing its position as the country’s leading transit partner.

Overall transit cargo passing through Tanzania to neighbouring countries also grew significantly, from 9,187,061 tonnes in 2024 to 14,250,087 tonnes in 2025, driven largely by higher demand from landlocked countries.

The report highlights the strategic importance of Tanzania’s port infrastructure, particularly Dar es Salaam, as a key gateway for central and southern African trade corridors.

As a member of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the DRC has increasingly relied on Tanzania’s logistics network to facilitate imports and exports, particularly bulk commodities and industrial goods.

The strong growth reflects improved port efficiency, expanded trade flows and deepening regional integration, positioning Tanzania as a critical logistics hub for landlocked economie, underscoring its growing importance in regional trade and logistics networks

After the DRC, Zambia remained the second-largest user of Tanzanian ports with 3.5m tonnes of cargo handled, followed by Rwanda with 2.2m tonnes, with Malawi accounting for 719,838 tonnes, Burundi 494,698 tonnes and Uganda 47,605 tonnes of cargo.

An additional 56,229 tonnes was recorded for other regional destinations and sources of cargo, including Mozambique, Sudan, Kenya, Comoros, Angola and Zimbabwe.

The steady rise in transit cargo underscores the growing confidence in Tanzania’s port infrastructure and its role in facilitating trade across East and Central Africa.

The trend is also expected to boost revenues, strengthen transport sector investment and further consolidate Tanzania’s position as a regional trade gateway linking inland African countries to overseas markets.