Location & Geography


Region & Borders: Mbozi District lies in Tanzania’s Songwe Region, formed in 2016 after splitting from Mbeya. It spans approx. 3,404 km², bordered north by Chunya, east by Mbeya Rural and Ileje, south by Zambia, and west by Momba/Rukwa region


Coordinates: Between ~8°–9°12′ S and 32°7′30″–33°2′ E .


Terrain & Climate: Elevation rises from ~800 m near Lake Rukwa to ~2,000 m; capital Vwawa sits at ~1,600 m . Climate is Cwb (temperate with a November–April rainy season, dry June–September), with annual rainfall of 1,000–1,200 mm .





?️ Administration & Population


Administrative Divisions: The District Council is organized into 4 divisions, 29 wards, approximately 121 villages and 665 hamlets .


Key Wards: Examples include Bara, Halungu, Igamba, Iyula, Vwawa, Msia, Nambinzo & many others .


Population:



2012: ~446,339 residents


2022: ~510,599


Growth reflects a young demographic (Songwe Region: ~46% under 15 in 2012)







? Economy & Livelihoods


Agriculture:



Dominant livelihood: ~75–88% of households rely on agriculture and livestock


Crops: maize, beans, potatoes, sunflower (~6,600 t), avocado (~12,000 t), and coffee (~30,000 t in 2015) .


Livestock: significant numbers of cattle (~410,000), goats, sheep, pigs, poultry .




Business & Industry:



Highest concentration of small-scale enterprises among Songwe districts (credit milling, carpentry, welding, workshops).




Trade & Ao Infrastructure:



Major transport via the tarmac T1 highway and TAZARA railway, including Vwawa station.







? Social Services


Education:



Approximately 160 public and 4 private primary schools (80,000 students; 2,400 teachers) and 56 secondary schools (16 private) as of 2015 .




Healthcare:



Served by 2 hospitals (including a mission hospital), 6 health centers, and around 67 dispensaries.




Water Access:



~60% of the population had clean water access; in Vwawa only ~24% in 2018 .







? Governance & NGOs


District Leadership: Governed by a District Commissioner (e.g., D.I. Rwegasira in 2022) under the District Council’s oversight.


Support Entities: Financial and development partners include NBC, IFAD, ADP-Mbozi (a local NGO based in Vwawa since 2005), Co‑ops, and CDTF .





✨ Highlights


Mbozi Meteorite: One of the largest meteorites (~3 m long) discovered ~12 km east of Vwawa.


Ethnic Diversity: Home to native groups like Nyiha, Ndali, Lambya, Nyamwanga, among others





? Summary Table





Category
Key Facts




Area & Population
~3,404 km²; 510,599 (2022)


Admin Zones
4 divisions, 29 wards


Main Economy
Agriculture, livestock, coffee production


Infrastructure
T1 highway, TAZARA railway, small industry


Services
Numerous schools, health facilities, partial water access


Governance
District Council with DC, supported by NGOs & financial bodies


Notable Feature
Mbozi iron meteorite