Njombe Council

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.