Do You Know Mara Region?

Adeladius Makwega – Musoma

When you arrive in Mara Region, you are welcomed by beautiful scenery of flowing waters heading toward Lake Victoria through the Mara River, which originates in Kenya and flows into Tanzania, greeting this lake rich in fish such as Nile perch and tilapia and Lake Victoria surrounds Mara Region like a child in the womb of a pregnant mother.

Dear reader, remember that Mara Region is one of the regions of the United Republic of Tanzania, located in the northern part of this East and Central African nation, covering 20,150 square kilometers. The locals say the name ‘Mara’ comes from the Mara River.

According to population statistics in Tanzania, Mara Region ranks 10th in population nationwide, with 2,371,015 people—1,139,511 men and 1,232,504 women. These statistics also show that 48.3% of the population is part of the workforce, aged between 15 and 64 years.

“Productivity of the population is very important in bringing development to a region. For example, Rwanda currently appears to have a strong economy despite having a small population and small land area. By 2026, Rwanda has a population of 14.3 million and an area of only 26.34 thousand square kilometers.”

This is according to Jonathan Rasiheri Kimaro, Head of Monitoring and Evaluation Unit at the Mara Regional Commissioner’s Office in 2026.

“The size of a population in a region, district, or area does not necessarily indicate economic strength. What matters most is the quality of the people—how they engage in productive activities.”

Mara Region is economically and socially important due to its natural resources, especially the presence of Lake Victoria, Serengeti National Park, minerals, favorable climate, agriculture, and livestock keeping. The region borders Kenya to the north, Arusha Region to the east, Simiyu Region to the south, and Lake Victoria to the west. Its headquarters are located near Mount Mukendo in Musoma town, close to the shores of Lake Victoria.

History also tells us that:

“The Waruri, Wajita, and Wakwaya people used the word ‘Omusoma’ to refer to a piece of land extending into the lake (a peninsula), and from there the name ‘Musoma’ emerged. Today, this name is one of the districts in Mara Region.”

The region is divided into six districts: Tarime, Rorya, Serengeti, Bunda, Butiama, and Musoma, which are organized into nine councils: Musoma Municipal Council, Musoma District Council, Tarime Town Council, Tarime District Council, Rorya District Council, Serengeti District Council, Butiama District Council, Bunda Town Council, and Bunda District Council.

Looking at population distribution, Tarime Town Council has the smallest population at 153,673 people (73,623 men and 80,548 women), while Tarime District Council has the largest population at 465,410 people (226,529 men and 238,181 women). This raises the question: why does Tarime District have more people than all other councils in Mara Region?

“The presence of the large Barrick North Mara Gold Mine, other small-scale mines, proximity to the Kenyan border, and the availability of two farming seasons—from August to December and from February to June.”

This is according to Zakaria Sendema, an economist at Tarime District Council in 2026.

Indeed, Mara Region’s climate, with average temperatures of 20–30°C and two rainy seasons (long and short rains), gives farmers flexibility to choose what to plant in different seasons. This climate is also highly suitable for agriculture and livestock keeping.

The agriculture sector—which includes crops, livestock, forestry, beekeeping, and fishing—contributes 48% of the region’s economy. Within this, Serengeti District Council contributes the most (10%), while the remaining 38% comes from the other eight councils.

In terms of national income contribution, Mara Region contributed 2.5 trillion Tanzanian shillings in 2020 and 3.5 trillion in 2024—an increase of 1 trillion. In the sectors of industry, construction, mining, and water, the region generated 1.1 trillion in 2020 and 1.5 trillion in 2024, an increase of 0.4 trillion (400 billion).

“In the social services sector, the region generated 1.8 trillion in 2020 and 2.5 trillion in 2024—an increase of 0.7 trillion (700 billion).”

All this is according to Issa Rajabu Mbombwe, an economist at the Mara Regional Commissioner’s Office.

So what does Mwanakwetu say today?

Indeed, Mara Region has abundant resources that can drive economic and social development. Your role as an investor is simply to choose where to invest—whether in agriculture, livestock, fishing, tourism, mining, or any other sector. The field is yours.

These are just a few highlights drawn from the Mara Region GDP Report (2024), Population Projections Report (2023–2050), Tarime District Population Report (2023–2050), and insights from various experts including economists, statisticians, and planning officers at the Mara Regional Office, as shared with Mwanakwetu in 2026.