Golden Dragon Delivers 200 BRT Buses to Tanzania

      Largest Bus Export Order to Africa in 2025

      “Go global or be left behind.” This powerful phrase captures the urgency and inevitability of Chinese companies expanding overseas. As internationalization becomes a shared strategic direction, how should Chinese companies chart their course?

      In Tanzania, a key country in East Africa, Golden Dragon has spent over a decade exploring and establishing a strong footprint, mapping a detailed “go-global” route for Chinese bus manufacturers.

      On July 17, Golden Dragon Bus achieved new progress in the Tanzanian market. At the Haicang factory in Xiamen, the largest batch of BRT buses exported to Africa this year—a total of 200 units—was officially delivered to Tanzanian customers. This marks a new stage for Golden Dragon Bus's deep cultivation in Tanzania.

      Tanzania’s capital Dar es Salaam, the country’s largest port and economic hub, launched the “DART” (Dar Rapid Transit) BRT project in 2013 to address chaotic traffic conditions. According to Hu Hui, Deputy General Manager of Golden Dragon’s Overseas Sales Division, Dar es Salaam’s traffic infrastructure was historically underdeveloped—lacking efficient public transportation, with disorganized roads and limited operational experience. Although Phase I of DART took years to implement, the impact has been transformative, cutting average travel times from suburban areas to the city center by up to one hour.
 

      Building on the success of Phase I, the Tanzanian government accelerated the rollout of additional BRT lines starting in 2023. Having supplied all buses for the initial phase and witnessed the project from inception to launch, Golden Dragon leveraged its deep local understanding to secure the first batch of BRT buses for Phase II.

      This new fleet of 200 articulated 18-meter buses is expected to arrive in Tanzania by mid-August and begin service in September. As a flagship public transportation project, the DART Phase II launch is a top priority for the Tanzanian government. Mr. Kihamia Atumani Juma, CEO of the DART Agency, traveled to Xiamen to attend the delivery ceremony, stating,“With a population of over 6 million in Dar es Salaam, BRT has significantly improved travel efficiency. Golden Dragon buses are well-suited to Tanzania’s needs.”

      He also praised Golden Dragon’s advanced manufacturing and technology after touring the company’s factory and expressed interest in expanding future cooperation.

      Golden Dragon has lived up to expectations, completing production of the first 100 units in just 45 days. Despite the complexities of overseas orders—tight timelines, high customization, and changing requirements—Golden Dragon’s ability to meet delivery schedules is a result of both its digitalized, intelligent manufacturing capabilities and the agility of its overseas operations team. These hard and soft strengths form the foundation of the brand’s global competitiveness.

      Under the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese companies like Golden Dragon are becoming powerful players in global development. In 2022, China and Tanzania elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, creating a favorable political environment for business expansion.

      Looking ahead, Golden Dragon will continue to deepen its presence in Tanzania and across Africa—delivering high-quality transport solutions, supporting local mobility needs, and driving the green transformation of global public transport systems.