The agreement for the execution of this project was signed in June 2022, and it is expected to be completed and operational in 24 months, according to Abdallah Ulega, Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries.
Zainabu Kawawa, Kilwa district commissioner, confirmed that preliminary construction preparations, such as a geological investigation of the soil, have begun. Once completed, the new port will have the capacity to produce 60,000 tonnes of fish per year, with some exported to neighbouring countries.
Tanzania's government intends to buy fishing boats for the port as part of a strategy to capitalize on the country's blue economy. It also intends to create a business-friendly environment with the port in order to attract both foreign and domestic investors, with the ultimate goal of increasing the blue economy's contribution to the national economy.
The port is being built as part of the Resilient Natural Resource Management for Tourism and Growth (REGROW) project, which aims to improve protected area management and promote tourism in the country.
"This port will enable Kilwa to retain its lost glory as a trade hub in the world. Modern fishing equipment, such as vessels, as well as scientific fishing methods, will be used. "It will involve deep sea fishing, processing, and exportation of various fishing products," Ulega explained.
In an effort to contribute to and promote ocean tourism, the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA) has pledged to provide a glass-bottom fibre glass boat for visitors to explore a wide variety of fish species.
The government is also encouraging citizens to invest in aquaculture and participate in the recently implemented cage culture in order to increase revenue from the fisheries sector and its resources.
For a long time, the sector has contributed at least 1.71% of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP). According to Trend Economy data, the country exported fish worth $4.32 million in 2021, accounting for 0.067% of total Tanzanian exports (total Tanzanian merchandise exports totaled $6.39 billion in 2021).
Italy accounted for over 43% of total exports at $1.87 billion, followed by the Netherlands at $1.76 billion, or 40% of total exports. The new fishing ports could boost the country's fishing sector's fortunes, increasing its contribution to total exports.
