Mbeya Region Website

Mbeya Region lies in the south western corner of Tanzania. The region has an area of 63,617 Km2 comprising of 7 Administrative Districts with 8 Local Government Authorities (LGAs). The administrative districts include Mbeya, Chunya, Mbarali, Kyela, Rungwe, Mbozi and Ileje.

The Region has a population of 2.5 million people by 2008 (projection) out of which 0.5 million people live in the urban and 2.0 million in the rural area.

Mbeya has a good road transport connection to Dar es Salaam (the main harbour and commercial city of Tanzania) and to other neighbouring regions. There is also a railway line which links Mbeya to Dar es Salaam and Kapirimposhi in Zambia. The existence of Mbeya – Malawi Cargo Dry port is an added advantage. All key economic areas within the region can be reached with ease. A new international airport at Songwe is also under construction and upon completion it will serve as dependable link to other cities of   Southern African countries such as Malawi, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, and South Africa.  

Water supply system is also adequately developed for domestic and industrial use. The region is also connected to the National electricity grid system, which is continually being upgraded and expanded to meet the present and future requirements. There is a good number of modern communication and media companies operating in the region, serving both local and international needs.

Topographically, Mbeya Region consists of 3 ecological zones: lowlands (within the Rift valley), plains (including Usangu wetlands) and highlands (Uporoto highlands, Livingstone mountain ranges and Mbozi plateau). These ecological zones are favourable for the development of agriculture, forestry, industry, tourist services and mining. Apart from rain fed agriculture, the Region has about 90,190 hectares that are suitable for irrigation, out of which 36,449 hectares need to be developed.

The Region is also rich in a variety of mineral deposits including coal, gold and industrial minerals such as limestone, marble, iron ore and phosphates. Mbeya Region has a large tourist potential with famous sites such as Lake Ngosi, Mbozi Meteorite, Ihefu wetland plains, Matema Beach, etc. 

In year 2006, the economic growth rate of Mbeya Region, in terms of GDP, was 7.01% which is equivalent to Tshs 486,437.00 per capita income and in the year 2007 the annual GDP growth rate was 7.16% which is equivalent to Tshs 560,773.00 per capita income.

To maintain and improve this growth target, the Region has planned to concentrate on the following activities: First, further development of agriculture, livestock farming, forestry, fisheries and beekeeping sub-sectors for large volume and high quality production to meet domestic and export markets. Second, expansion of important road networks to key economic areas including industrial zones in urban areas. Third, taking measures aimed at expanding and developing the tourist sector. The fourth step is to gradually transform and update utilities infrastructure including electricity, water supply and sewerage systems.

Apart from our own efforts, the region wishes to attract investments from domestic and foreign investors as well as economic organizations for the purpose of exploiting the regions opportunities on the basis of mutual benefits in various areas.