Our City

Shinyanga is a city in north western Tanzania, located in the Shinyanga Region which is named after the town. It is located approximately 175km southeast of Mwanza, the second largest city in the country and 475km northwest of Dodoma, the capital city.

Shinyanga urban area has a population of just over 160,000 but is the primary city for a population of over 2.8 million who live in the Shinyanga Region.  For this reason, the city is home to the regional headquarters of a number of organisations and the city and regional councils. Compared to some of the bigger cities, it has a lower population density and certainly feels more spread out and spacious.

The city has three hospitals, a mix of both public and private, and an ever increasing number of schools. There is an airport but it is currently closed for renovations. The centre of the town consists of a claustrophobic market which we have attempted to negotiate a few times with varying levels of success!

The region has a tropical climate with an average temperature of about 28 degrees. It has two seasons a year – the dry season and rainy season. The rainy season starts between mid-October and December and lasts until early May with some dry spells in January / February. The dry season lasts from mid May to mid October for a period of five months. However, rainfall during the rainy season is generally unpredictable making plans for water supply and agriculture difficult.

Shinyanga Region is characterised by flat open areas of sparse vegetation. We have been told that the lack of hills makes it ideal for cycling - the roads here are dominated by bicycles.

The economy is dominated by agriculture comprising of subsistence farming and cash crops. In recent years a number of gold mines have been opened in the region but these are predominantly run and controlled by foreign companies and the local economy has yet to see any significant benefits. In 2004, GDP in Shinyanga was less than $140 per person per year making it one of the poorest parts of Tanzania.