[9] The port acts as a gateway for commerce and trade for Tanzania and numerous bordering landlocked states.

Economic activity continued through the early 20th century and through World War II, centralised around the city and this facilitated expansion of the port.

MOFED stands for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development which in April 2001 replaced the defunct zamcargo.

[21] MOFED operates out of the Mukuba Depot, located in south Kurasini and has direct access to the TAZARA rail link.

[22] The company has dedicated warehouses and operates dry ports in Dar es Salaam and Mbeya.

Fuel and goods are loaded onto wagons on the TAZARA bound for Mbeya and then trucked into Malawi through the Kyela Border.