KIGOMA, Dec. 15 -- Lake Tanganyika, the worlds longest freshwater lake and one of Africas most strategic waterways, is entering a new era of transformation. Long associated with the historic MV Liemba and a handful of aging cargo vessels, the lake is today witnessing an ambitious modernisation drive that is reshaping Tanzanias position in the regional logistics landscape.

With expanded port infrastructure, new shipbuilding capacity and rising cargo traffic, Tanzania is steadily positioning Lake Tanganyika as the main gateway for trade to and from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, Rwanda and parts of Zambia.

According to the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), these developments are the result of deliberate investment and stro...