Kagera Lawmaker Calls for Unified Economic Plan to Boost Region’s Growth
KARAGWE — Innocent Bashungwa, a member of parliament from Kagera Region and former minister, has called for a coordinated, comprehensive economic strategy to accelerate development in the northwestern region.
Speaking to Daily News, Bashungwa emphasized Kagera’s untapped potential, citing its strategic location and natural resources. “What is needed is a comprehensive economic plan. We have to think outside the box and utilise the abundant untapped resources,” he stated.
Kagera currently ranks 25th out of Tanzania’s 26 regions in economic output, according to recent data. However, Bashungwa highlighted the region’s advantageous position, bordering Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, with access to Kenya via Lake Victoria. He described Kagera as a gateway to a regional market of approximately 400 million people, presenting significant trade and investment opportunities.
Recent economic indicators show progress. The region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew from 2.7 billion Tanzanian shillings in 2020 to 4.9 billion in 2025, while income per capita increased from 1,168,700/- to 1,559,000/- over the same period. Bashungwa noted that national budget allocations under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration have supported improvements in health, education, water, and road infrastructure.
He addressed concerns about investment climate, asserting that visible transformation in Kagera contradicts narratives of insecurity. “Anyone claiming that nothing has been achieved simply hasn’t visited Kagera,” he said, adding that the region’s stability and peace are key assets.
With a population of 2.9 million people across 662 villages, according to the 2022 census, Kagera’s development prospects are closely tied to its agricultural base. Bashungwa specifically identified dairy farming as a high-potential sector for job creation. He urged livestock keepers to shift from extensive herding to modern, zero-grazing practices to improve productivity and profitability.
“Our wealth lies not only in our natural resources but also in the peace and stability we have long enjoyed,” he said. He challenged both local and foreign investors to establish milk and beef processing facilities, noting Tanzania’s large livestock population remains underutilised in value-added production.
Kagera hosts five ranches under the National Ranching Company (NARCO), spanning over 180,000 hectares combined, which could support expanded commercial livestock operations.
Bashungwa’s appeal underscores a push to move beyond Kagera’s current economic standing by formalising a regional development blueprint that leverages cross-border trade, agricultural modernisation, and targeted investment. The region’s future growth, he suggested, depends on aligning local initiatives with its strategic geographic and demographic advantages.
