Africa Global Logistics (AGL), a subsidiary of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has taken a major step into East Africa’s port development landscape after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to act as a construction partner for the long-anticipated Bagamoyo Port project at Mbegani.
The agreement signals fresh momentum for a project that has been positioned by the Tanzanian government as a cornerstone of its long-term maritime and trade strategy. Under the MoU, AGL has been awarded the rights to design, construct and operate the first three berths of the new port, which will ultimately comprise 28 berths and be developed in three phases.
Construction of the initial phase is expected to commence next year.
TPA Director General, Plasduce Mbossa, confirmed that groundwork on the first three berths is scheduled to begin in early January, describing the partnership as a catalyst for transforming port operations and logistics capacity in Tanzania.
He added that the authority remains open to additional local and international investors as the project progresses, reflecting the scale and ambition of the development.
The Bagamoyo Port project is projected to attract a total investment of about $2.1 billion, underscoring its significance not only for Tanzania but also for regional trade in East and Central Africa.
The first three berths are expected to be designed and constructed over a three-year period, laying the foundation for subsequent phases of expansion.
AGL’s growing footprint in port infrastructure across Africa has seen the company actively involved in expansion and modernisation projects in Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Angola, Namibia and Côte d’Ivoire.
Its entry into the Bagamoyo development aligns with MSC’s broader strategy of deepening its logistics and terminal presence on the continent.
By investing in Bagamoyo, AGL is seeking to leverage the port’s strategic location along the Indian Ocean, which offers direct maritime access to major global shipping lanes and serves as a potential gateway to multiple African markets.
Once completed, the port is expected to ease congestion at existing facilities, enhance Tanzania’s competitiveness as a regional logistics hub and support the country’s wider economic growth ambitions.