This week, 23 key stakeholders gathered virtually for a TanRAP Support and Development Workshop, aimed at advancing the Tanzania Road Assessment Programme (TanRAP).

The online workshop brought together representatives from the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT), Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS), Institution of Engineers of Tanzania (IET), National Institute of Transport (NIT), Road Safety Ambassadors Tanzania, Tanzania Road Safety Initiatives (TARSI), the Regional Center of Excellence for Road Safety Tanzania, and Norplan Tanzania, among others.

The workshop focused on the progress of TanRAP’s ongoing efforts to enhance road infrastructure safety across the country.

Participants discussed the current status of TanRAP and the role of the internationally recognized iRAP methodology and tools in supporting safer road initiatives.

Key topics included recent updates to the iRAP tools, training and accreditation opportunities, and strategies for strengthening project implementation and evidence-based investment in road maintenance and upgrades.

Potential opportunities were also discussed such as the identification of key road corridors to implement road asset management, Star Ratings and Crash Risk Mapping as part of maintenance programmes; support for advanced regional cooperation (e.g in the framework of The African Road Maintenance Funds Association); stakeholder engagement and dissemination; mentorship from other national RAP programmes, and the potential for hosting an in-person workshop in 2026. Such an event could further support capacity building and coordinated action among stakeholders, reinforcing the country’s commitment to improving road infrastructure safety.

The workshop provided a valuable platform for partners to align on next steps and explore future opportunities for TanRAP’s expansion and development, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in tackling the country’s transport challenges.

TanRAP launched in 2017 as a result of the Ten Step Tanzania Project, jointly funded by the United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (UKAid), through the Global Road Safety Facility (GRSF) of the World Bank. Under the guidance of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the project was implemented by a consortium led by the International Road Federation (IRF) headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and made up of iRAP, the World Road Association (PIARC) and the Tanzania Roads Association (TARA). It brought together the Government of Tanzania through the Ministry of Works and Transport, TANROADS, Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA), Roads Fund Board, National Institute of Transport, as well as other leading institutions, road safety NGOs and industry stakeholders.

The project was awarded a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in 2023, recognising the comprehensive nature of the Plan and engagement of so many local and international stakeholders in its delivery.

Tanzania was the first country in the world to implement the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration (UNRSC) Ten Step Plan Approach.

For more information on TanRAP, see the launch brochure here and video here.