Tanzania signed a $210-million (340-billion shilling) loan agreement with the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) Monday (July 29th) to make improvements to the country's physical infrastructure in line with the Southern Africa Trade and Transport Project.

The money will be mainly used for upgrading and rehabilitating the 140-kilometre Mafinga-Igawa highway, Finance Minister William Mgimwa said according to Tanzania's The Guardian. Funds will also go towards creating a one-stop border crossing centre at the Songwe-Kasumulu border post and improving road safety and traffic conditions.

"This support has come at a time when the government is in a critical need of implementing interventions to facilitate the movement of goods and people along the North-South Corridor to enable Tanzania to become the transport and logistics hub for neighbouring countries," Mgimwa said.