Historical Background


The original Njombe District Council was created in 1962, dissolved in July 1972, then re-established in 1984 following the Decentralization Act.


In 2012, the old Njombe District was subsumed into the newly formed Njombe Region, which now comprises several councils: Njombe Rural (District), Njombe Urban (Town Council), Wanging’ombe District, plus Makete, Ludewa, and Makambako.


? Geography & Administration


Size & Location:



Njombe District covers around 2,706 km², situated in the Southern Highlands at 1,000–2,000 m elevation.


It borders Makambako TC and Iringa Region to the north, Morogoro and Ruvuma Regions to the east, Ludewa District to the south, and Wanging’ombe District to the west.




Climate:



Temperate and moderate, featuring a single rainy season (December–April); annual rainfall ranges from 900 to 1,600 mm at higher elevations .


Temperatures vary between ~15–25 °C, with cooler nights and occasional dip below zero .




? Population


As of the 2022 Census, Njombe District had a population of approximately 109,311 residents.


? Economy & Agriculture


The economy is primarily agricultural, with mixed subsistence farming and commercial crops such as maize, potatoes, beans, tea, sunflowers, and groundnuts .


Avocado farming has notably expanded across the region, especially in councils like Makambako and Wanging’ombe.


Forestry and tourism also play roles, with natural attractions like caves (Nyumba Nitu), waterfalls, and historical sites linked to the Maji Maji uprising.


?️ Infrastructure & Services


The district’s road network includes trunk, regional, and district roads—only ~39% are gravel or tarmac, making them passable year-round.


Upcoming hydro projects (Rumakali and Ruhudji) are underway, promising to deliver significant power (approximately 222 MW and 358 MW) to both local councils and the nation.


Health coverage expanded from just 3 facilities in 1961 to dozens by 2018; similarly, primary and secondary education facilities have grown, with 96% of primary schools being public.


?️ Governance & Social Profile


Local governance follows Tanzania’s LGA structure under the President’s Office for Regional Administration & Local Government.


The district faces socio-economic challenges: improving school enrollment, food security, maternal and infant health, and HIV/AIDS .





✅ Summary
Njombe District Council, re-established in the 1980s, is now an integral part of Njombe Region. It spans highland terrain, supports a predominantly agricultural society with growing tourism potential, and is undergoing infrastructural upgrades in health, education, and energy. Key challenges remain in food security, schooling, and healthcare.