Tanzania Breaks Ground On $300 Million Deep Seaport Construction In Zanzibar

The Tanzanian government has officially launched construction of the $300 million Mangapwani Integrated Port on the island of Unguja, marking a major step in transforming Zanzibar into a regional maritime and logistics hub for East and Central Africa.

The new port, located in North Unguja, is being built by China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) and is designed to replace the aging Malindi Port while easing congestion and boosting cargo handling capacity.

The officials say the facility will feature deep‑sea berths capable of accommodating modern container vessels carrying up to about 15,000 containers, with a main berth stretching 680 metres and 20 metres deep.

Beyond conventional port functions, the Mangapwani project is being developed as an integrated hub, including a 200‑megawatt power station to improve Zanzibar’s electricity supply and fuel storage facilities exceeding 60 million litres to cover domestic demand for more than three months.

Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi has described the port as a key solution to long‑standing constraints in port capacity, energy, and fuel infrastructure, saying it will position the archipelago as a vital trade and transport gateway for the wider region.

Authorities expect the first phase of construction to be completed by September 2026, with the full port project targeted for completion around 2028, pending progress and funding.