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Tanzania’s Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA) has restated its commitment to boost the country’s logistics and transport sector, describing it as a key engine for economic growth and regional integration. The authority said its new focus is on building modern infrastructure, updating transport regulations, and encouraging innovation across the logistics chain, all aimed at making Tanzania a stronger trade hub in East Africa.
Speaking during a workshop in Dar es Salaam, LATRA’s Manager for Safety Coordination and Environment, Mr. Godfrey Silanda, explained that the authority is already reviewing existing transport regulations to fit new technological and systemic changes in the industry. According to him, the goal is to improve monitoring systems and reduce risky behaviours that often lead to road accidents.
“The plan is in the preparation stage, and the main objective is to enhance our capacity to detect risky practices on the roads before they cause accidents,” Mr. Silanda said. He was addressing participants at the “Smart Fuel and Video Control Solution for Fleets” workshop.
The workshop, which was organised by Horizon IoT Tanzania in partnership with Escort Monitoring Systems and Howen Technologies, focused on tackling long-standing challenges in Tanzania’s road transport industry. Among the key issues discussed were fuel theft, road safety, and efficiency in fleet management. The organisers introduced a range of advanced monitoring tools, including fuel-level sensors, GPS trackers, and video monitoring systems.
These technologies are expected to support logistics and transport companies by improving fleet efficiency, ensuring transparency, and enhancing overall safety standards. The tools also aim to help companies cut unnecessary costs and maintain better accountability in their day-to-day operations.
Mr. Silanda stressed that the new technologies would complement the government’s Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), which has been in operation for about eight years. While the VTS has provided useful monitoring, he admitted that its capacity was limited. The newly introduced system adds more advanced functions, including in-vehicle cameras for real-time monitoring of driver behaviour.
“This system expands our capabilities in a big way. Beyond tracking fuel and vehicles, we will now be able to watch how drivers behave on the road, which is critical for safety and efficiency,” he said.
Horizon IoT Tanzania’s Managing Director, Ms. Hildagath Msuya, also spoke during the workshop. She said the integration of these new technologies will make the Vehicle Tracking System more effective and reliable. According to her, adoption of the system is gradually increasing among Tanzanian transport companies, although only a small number have fully embraced it so far.
“Uptake is growing because companies are beginning to see the direct benefits of combining fuel monitoring, GPS tracking, and video systems. It not only saves money but also ensures better control of fleet operations,” Ms. Msuya explained.
On his part, Mr. Samwel Ngugi, the East Africa Regional Manager for Escort Monitoring Systems, highlighted the value of merging video surveillance with traditional telematics. He said this combination helps logistics operators improve fleet visibility, strengthen driver accountability, and reduce risks associated with poor driving behaviour.
“These are globally tested technologies, and what makes them unique here is that we also provide dependable local support. For any logistics system to succeed in the long term, sustainability and local expertise are critical,” Mr. Ngugi said.
Industry analysts believe LATRA’s renewed push could transform Tanzania’s logistics sector, which plays a vital role in connecting landlocked neighbours such as Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to international ports. With new digital tools in place, transport companies may see reduced losses from fuel theft, lower accident risks, and better customer service.
The logistics industry is one of the fastest-growing in Tanzania as the country positions itself as a key trade gateway for the East African region. Experts say that with continued innovation and regulatory support, Tanzania could strengthen its competitiveness against regional rivals such as Kenya’s Mombasa port corridor.
The initiative also reflects broader efforts by the Tanzanian government to digitise services, improve safety on highways, and create an enabling environment for private businesses in the transport and logistics space.
As LATRA pushes forward, stakeholders agree that strong collaboration between regulators, technology providers, and transport operators will be vital to achieving lasting improvements in the sector. For now, the adoption of smart fleet technologies marks a positive step toward reducing inefficiencies and building a safer, more transparent logistics industry in Tanzania.
