Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development www.iiste.org ISSN 2222-1700 (Paper) ISSN 2222-2855 (Online) Vol.12, No.6, 2021 46 Effects of Road Traffic Congestion on Economic Activities of Dar es Salaam Region in Tanzania Helena A. Lwesya 1 Laurencia Ndelamo Massawe 2 Lucas P. Mwisila 3* Haidari P. Misafi 4 1.Department of Logistics and Transport Studies, The National Institute of Transport P.O.Box 705 Dar Es Salaam 2.Department of Mathematics, Humanities and Social science, The National Institute of Transport P.O.Box 705 Dar Es Salaam 3.Department of Science and Management, Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute P.O.Box 6727 Dar Es Salaam 4.Department of Business and Entrepreneurship Studies, National Institute of Transport, P.O. Box 705, Dar es Salaam Abstract The general objective of this study was to examine the effects of road traffic congestion on economic activities of Dar es Salaam Region in Tanzania. The findings show that congestion is caused by narrow roads, bad road conditions, rainfall, non-operating traffic lights, double parking, inadequate feeder-roads, road accidents, road work, many pedestrians crossing the road and many bumps in the roads. Also, congestion on average increases costs of fuel by Tsh. 32,167.00 paid from bus drivers’ pocket and reduces productive time of workers by 2.5 hours. Similarly, employees with formal employment got up between 3:00am and 4:00am early in the morning to avoid road congestion but due to unreliable transport services employee with income of Tsh. 90,000.00 spend 39% of the income as fare because they pay twice in a single journey. However, during their return home they are easily caught in congestion as they get home late at 22:00pm. Therefore, congestion affects the economy by reducing the turnover, profit margin and sales of individuals and in aggregates the economic activities of Dar es Salaam region. This study recommends that, roads be enlarged and pedestrian bridges, feeder-roads and bumps be constructed in a way that reduces congestion. Keywords: Road Traffic Congestion and Economic Activities DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-6-05 Publication date:March 31 st 2021 1. Introduction Road congestion is a problem emanated from the effects of urbanisation, according to Tanzania Transport Sector Review (2013), the fast urbanisation growth has reduced the capacity of cities in terms of infrastructures and quality of services needed by urban residents. Dar es Salam city like other developing cities in Africa is vulnerable of road congestion as one of the effects of urbanisation. According to Kiunsi (2013), traffic congestion is attributed by the factors such as increase in population, inadequate infrastructures, increase in cars, increase of social and economic activities, and lack of city plan and development. This research study was based on “Effects of Road Traffic Congestion on Economic Activities of Dar es Salaam Region in Tanzania”. According to Maji (2017), Dares Salaam is witnessing the increasing number of cars and traffic congestion specifically, during daytime (noon) and sunset (peak hours). Road traffic congestion has substantial effect on economic activities of individual and the community through delay, transport costs, safety and emission from cars. Various studies have been carried on in regard of traffic congestion and its effects. The study on traffic congestion by Elisenguo (2013), examined the social economics impact of road congestion and found that public transport system in Dar es Salaam little meet the basic needs of its inhabitant. Likewise, Angus and Betram (2019) assessed the contemporary awareness of the effects of congestion on traffic and accidents; and found that an inverse relationship between accidents and congestion would imply a benefit of congested conditions for road safety, posing a difficult situation for traffic management. Moreover, Onyeneke et al (2018) modelled the effects of traffic congestion on economic activities, accidents, fatalities and casualties; and found that traffic growth and number of registered vehicles in urban areas are linked with growing number of accidents and fatalities. Accidents account for a significant share of recurring delays. As traffic increases, people feel less safe to use the roads. It is observed that traffic congestion in urban centres could be viewed as a result of mandatory daily trips such as workplace, home, school or voluntary. Nevertheless, all these studies provide little insights on the extent the road traffic congestion affects the economic activities of Dar es Salaam region. This study provides an insight on the extent the road traffic congestion affects the economic activities of individual economies which in turn are the aggregate of Dar es Salaam region Economy. 2. Review of Literature The road congestion occurs when the demand for traffic surpasses the capacity of the road network; the situation