UDSM breaks ground: Expanding access to world-class education in Kagera, Lindi

LINDI: THE University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) is constructing of two new campuses in Kagera and Lindi, with funding provided under the World Bank’s Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) initiative.

The 26bn/- project, which began earlier this year, is expected to be completed by November next year, marking a significant step towards expanding higher education access across the country.

Kagera, situated in the northwestern region of Tanzania and sharing borders with Uganda and Rwanda, will host a new business school.

The strategic location will provide opportunities for cross-border trade and entrepreneurship, tapping into the growing economic linkages between Tanzania and its neighbouring countries within the East African Community.

The 13.1bn/- Kagera campus will focus on business fields becoming part of the University of Dar es Salaam Business School (UDBS).

“This is a major economic milestone for the residents of Kagera,” Dr Liberato Haule, the HEET Deputy Coordinator at UDSM said during a recent visit to inspect the ongoing construction.

The coordinator said the campus will drive significant economic transformation, particularly in the Lake Zone and neighbouring countries.

The campus once finished will feature state-of-the-art classrooms, lecture halls, workshops, student dormitories and faculty offices.

The UDSM’s HEET Infrastructure Development expert, Dr Paul Ndumbaro, said that the initial phase will include four classrooms, each accommodating 70 students, two lecture rooms for 270 students each, a computer lab for 72, seminar rooms for 20 and over 30 offices, as well as a cafeteria and student dormitories.

At the Kagera campus, the focus will be on creating a robust business school offering courses in entrepreneurship, trade, finance and management.

The programmes will equip students with the skills necessary to exploit business opportunities in the region, especially given Kagera’s proximity to key trade corridors linking Tanzania with Uganda, Rwanda and other East African nations.

Additionally, Karabagaine ward Councillor Mr Samuel Makwabe where the project is implementing said the establishment of this university in Kagera is a blessing as “we are already reaping its benefits including improved road access”.

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Although the roads are not paved, they have made it easier for them to move around. “Previously we had no vehicle access which forced us to spend a lot of time travelling between areas,” said Mr Makwabe.

In contrast, Lindi, a coastal region known for production of cashew nuts and sesame seeds, will become home to the region’s first-ever university, focused on agricultural research.

The 13bn/-campus aims to strengthen Lindi’s agricultural sector, leveraging the region’s arid yet fertile land to drive innovation in farming practices.

The agricultural research programmes at the Lindi campus will concentrate on enhancing crop yields, improving sustainable farming techniques and addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

As a major player in Tanzania’s agricultural export industry, particularly for cashew nuts and sesame seeds, Lindi stands to benefit significantly from research-driven innovation aimed at boosting productivity and quality.

The Lindi campus will also collaborate with local farmers and cooperatives, conducting field research and developing modern farming techniques to improve agricultural outputs.

These collaborations are expected to raise the value of key exports, contributing to both regional and national economic growth.

The Lindi campus is built at Ngongo ward in Lindi Municipal, Lindi Region, which will focus on innovative and research teaching.

“This project will help improve the learning environment, drive economic transformation and expand agricultural research in line with the government’s industrialisation goals,” Dr Haule said.

The Lindi campus is the first agri-related UDSM facility outside Dar es Salaam and will start with six buildings at Ngongo and three in Ruangwa.

The campus is expected to become a full-fledged university. The local government allocated over 300 acres for free of charge to facilitate the project while some 300 young people have gained temporary employment.

These projects are part of the World Bank’s HEET initiative, designed to transform higher education institutions into engines of economic growth.

The World Bank allocated approximately 972bn/- to the government, benefiting 14 universities, with UDSM receiving around 111bn/-.

By establishing campuses in Kagera and Lindi, UDSM aims to contribute directly to regional development by producing skilled graduates capable of driving progress in key sectors such as business and agriculture.

UDSM’s expansion into Kagera and Lindi reflects the university’s broader mission to decentralise higher education, ensuring that more Tanzanians have access to