TANZANIA: Eng. Rashid S. Kalimbaga, Chief Executive Officer of Tanzania’s Road Fund Board (RFB), has been formally inaugurated as President of the Executive Committee of the African Road Maintenance Funds Association (ARMFA) for the 2025–2027 term.
His election to this continental leadership role took place during the 22nd ARMFA General Assembly, held in Monrovia, Liberia, from November 17–21, 2025, where he succeeded Dr. Essaîe Moussa Aubin.
The Handover, Installation, and Investiture Ceremony—a historic milestone for the association—was convened recently in Arusha, Tanzania.
The event was attended by the Honourable Mr. Abdallah Hamis Ulega (MP), Tanzania’s Minister for Works, alongside distinguished leaders and delegates from across Africa.
In his inaugural address, Eng. Kalimbaga expressed deep appreciation for the outgoing President’s leadership, noting his success in strengthening strategic partnerships, advancing capacity-building, and elevating ARMFA’s profile regionally and continentally.
The newly installed President underscored ARMFA’s critical mandate to safeguard Africa’s road infrastructure amid mounting maintenance demands, intensifying climate impacts, and evolving fiscal constraints.
He called for reinforced unity, innovation, and collaboration among member states, aligning ARMFA’s efforts with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Eng. Kalimbaga also announced that Rwanda will host the 2026 ARMFA General Assembly in Kigali—a decision underscoring East Africa’s growing role in advancing continental integration and infrastructure governance.
In closing, he committed to leading with integrity and a results-driven approach, aiming to ensure his tenure marks a transformative period in ARMFA’s history.
ARMFA: A Continental Advocate for Road Sustainability
The African Road Maintenance Funds Association (ARMFA) is a non-political, non-profit continental institution dedicated to enhancing road maintenance systems across Africa.
Founded on December 18, 2003, in Libreville, Gabon, it serves as a pivotal platform for knowledge exchange, best practices, and innovative financing models among national road maintenance funds.
ARMFA’s mission is to promote sustainable, high-performing road maintenance funds, ensuring African road networks remain operational, safe, and conducive to economic growth. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative learning, ARMFA positions road maintenance as central to long-term infrastructure sustainability.
The association currently comprises 35 member countries from Anglophone, Francophone, and Lusophone Africa, plus one associate member.
These are organized into four regional focal groups—West, Central, Southern, and East Africa—to foster region-specific dialogue and cooperation.
Profile: Eng. Rashid S. Kalimbaga
Eng. Kalimbaga brings to the role extensive expertise in road maintenance policy and management.
He currently serves as Acting CEO of the Tanzania Roads Fund Board and Secretary to the Board.
His background is both technical and policy-focused. He holds a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering (Highway Engineering) from Kharkov State Automobile–Highway Technical University in Ukraine.
With over three decades of experience, his contributions include:
-Developing the Tanzania Roads Database Management System.
– Leading the customization of TeRMIS into ReRMIS, an electronic revenue-management system for road-user charges.
– Overseeing digital platforms such as DROMAS, NAPA, and RISE for road-asset management and infrastructure planning.
– Conducting research into new revenue streams for Tanzania’s road fund—a focus directly relevant to his ARMFA mandate.
His commitment to road safety is also evident.
In 2023, he signed a cooperation agreement with the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) under Tanzania’s Ten-Step Project, emphasizing safe road infrastructure development.
Vision and Strategic Priorities
Strengthen Funding Mechanisms
Kalimbaga identified securing reliable, sustainable financing for road maintenance as his foremost priority. The goal is not merely to raise more revenue, but to design transparent, resilient financial systems capable of enduring climate and economic volatility.
Enhance Institutional Capacity and Collaboration
He stressed the need for robust institutional frameworks and deepened cooperation: “I expect strong collaboration so we can collectively elevate this institution.”
Advocate for Autonomous, Professional Road Funds
Under his leadership, ARMFA is expected to promote autonomous, second-generation road fund models that minimize political interference and enhance governance for long-term sustainability.
Elevate ARMFA’s Continental Profile
Kalimbaga aims to increase ARMFA’s visibility, effectiveness, and influence across Africa by scaling up advocacy, knowledge-sharing, and technical innovation.
Reflections on Regional Solidarity
Speaking in Monrovia, Eng. Kalimbaga commended Liberia’s hospitality and commitment to road development: “The people have been exceptionally welcoming. We observe the government’s efforts to ensure Liberians have reliable road access.”
His election as a Tanzanian to lead a 35-nation body reinforces that road maintenance is a continental imperative.
For Tanzania, holding the ARMFA presidency is both an honor and an opportunity to lead by example. Kalimbaga expressed confidence in receiving steadfast support from Tanzanian leadership to advance ARMFA’s objectives.
Why This Leadership Transition Matters for Africa
-Roads are economic arteries:
As Kalimbaga emphasized, “Without roads, there is no development.” Well-maintained networks are vital for trade, mobility, and access to essential services.
– Maintenance over expansion: Preserving existing infrastructure is more cost-effective than allowing deterioration and funding reconstruction.
– Converging challenges: Climate change, growing mobility needs, and funding shortfalls demand innovative, adaptive financing models.
– Renewed momentum: Kalimbaga’s technical expertise and continental outlook position ARMFA to deepen its impact in the coming years.
Charting the Path Ahead:
Eng. Rashid S. Kalimbaga’s presidency opens a new chapter for ARMFA—one anchored in technical excellence, financial innovation, and pan-African cooperation. As the association advances under his guidance, its success in securing sustainable financing, strengthening institutional capacity, and fostering accountability will be closely observed.
For Liberia, hosting the General Assembly represents both an honor and an opportunity for engagement. For Africa, Kalimbaga’s leadership signals a reinvigorated commitment to a future where roads are sustained assets, maintenance is assured, and infrastructure drives inclusive growth.
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