Mbeya Region Website

Mbeya City Council is one of Eight (8) Councils in Mbeya Region, Others being Chunya, Mbarali, Mbozi, Kyela, Ileje, Rungwe and Mbeya. It has both the highway and the railway line (TAZARA) linking Tanzania to Southern African Countries which pass through the City, making it one of the famous and important entry and exit points in the country. The City also has additional functions as a District and Region Head Quarters. The availability of some of the best infrastructure in the country, labor supply, land, reliable water and electricity supply, air port, and good governance that creates good environment Investment for both Local and Foreign Investors.  

 

According to the year 2002 Census, Mbeya City Council had a total population of 266,422, out of which 126,679(47.5%) were men and 139,743 (52.5%) were women having 64,179 households. 

 

The City population growth rate was 4.0% per annum compared to the national average of 2.9 per annum.  Population projection for year 2009 is approximately 352,511 people of which 183,306 are female and 169,205 are male.

Administratively, the City is divided into 2 Divisions of Iyunga and Sisimba. It has 36 Wards and 180 Mitaa as indicated in the table below.

 

  

 

The Resident of Mbeya City is mixed of origins and culture. The main tribes of Mbeya City are Wasafwa and Wanyakyusya. 

Mbeya City lies between latitude 80 50` - 80 57` South of Equator and Longitude 330 30` - 350 35` East of Greenwich. The City is almost surrounded by Mbeya District in all directions.

Mbeya City is situated at an elevated land and spreads along the slopes of two mountain ranges, namely Mbeya and Mporoto, at an altitude rising from 1,600 to 2,400 meters above sea level.

Eight rivers run through the City. These are Sisimba, Nzovwe, Imeta, Hamzya, Mfwizimo, Simba, Nkwanana and Nsalaga. Rivers Nsalaga and Nkwanana pour into Great Ruaha River which flows into Rufiji Basin. The remaining rivers join river Songwe that drains into Lake Rukwa.   

Mbeya City has a mean annual rainfall of 1200mm while the mean annual temperature is 250C, ranging from a mean minimum of 11o C and a mean maximum of 280 C.  The City is generally considered a highland characterized by moderate climate and sufficient rainfall.

Mbeya City covers a total area of 222 sq. km. 46.4% of this area is under agriculture and 53.6% is under other uses, which include settlements, forestry, valleys and mountain ranges.

Major economic activities in the City include commerce and trade, agriculture and livestock keeping, small-scale industrial production and service provision e.g. transport hotel, medical services, and civil service.

It is estimated that 33.3% of City residents depend on agriculture for their livelihood; 21% are employed in the public sector which is mainly service provision and 43.4% are engaged in the informal sector which is mainly small scale production, petty trade and selling of agricultural crops and 2.3% home works and others.

Income per capita is estimated at Tshs. 675,000/= per annum which is equivalent to US$ 675, a little bit higher by 75,047 ($75) to the internationally accepted poverty line of Tshs. 600,000, or about US$ 600 per annum.