Field mission in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma: for integrated governance of Dar es Salaam

From June 30 to July 4, the Espelia – Dentons team carried out, in Tanzania, a series of participatory sessions bringing together stakeholders from the central government (President Office – Regional Administration and Local Government, National Environment Management Council, Ministry of Lands, Housing & Human Settlements Development), the regional government (Regional Administrative Secretary), the local government (municipalities of Kinondoni, Ubungo, Ilala, Temeke, and Kigamboni), as well as public enterprises (Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation). 

This mission was conducted as part of a technical assistance program funded by the World Bank Group, aimed at supporting PO-RALG in the analysis and operationalization of three proposed institutional reforms to strengthen metropolitan governance in Dar es Salaam: 

• the creation of a metropolitan authority (Dar es Salaam Metropolitan Authority); 

• the establishment of a dedicated structure for managing the Msimbazi Basin Development Project (Msimbazi Special Planning Area (MSPA) Authority); 

• and the formation of an inter-municipal entity for solid waste management. 
  
  

Mission objective 

The objective was to better understand the current governance framework for urban planning and public services (transport, waste management, etc.) in Dar es Salaam, the challenges encountered on the ground, the solutions considered, as well as the perceptions and expectations of stakeholders regarding the proposed institutional reforms. 

Next steps 

This mission represents a key step in consolidating the analysis and operationalizing the relevant entities, taking into account the current institutional and legal framework of urban governance in Dar es Salaam — whether in land use planning, management of the Msimbazi Basin, or waste management services.  

The initial findings will serve as a basis for developing institutional scenarios, which will be discussed and tested during a workshop planned before the end of the year. 

Thank you to PO-RALG, the World Bank Group, the municipalities, the regional government, and all the ministries and partner institutions for their warm welcome, availability, and the quality of the discussions.