Exclusionary Stakeholderism in Bus Rapid Transit Governance in Dar es Salaam

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects are frequently promoted as modern and inclusive mobility solutions, yet their governance can reconfigure urban livelihoods and access. This study examines how stakeholder engagement influenced the implementation of Dar es Salaam’s BRT. It focuses on informal vendors and paratransit workers whose activities are closely intertwined with the world-class corridors. Using a multi-method qualitative case study comprising analysis of policy and project documents, field observations at major stations and corridors, and interviews with commuters, vendors, informal operators and officials, we trace how engagement practices were organised and how decisions were implemented on the ground. We find evidence of ‘exclusionary stakeholderism’: participation that is largely informational and selective, coupled with fragmented regulatory authority. These dynamics contributed to displacement from high-footfall spaces, uneven access to services, and inconsistent enforcement. The paper advances a governance-oriented account of inclusive transit planning in rapidly urbanising cities. The analysis clarifies the difference between public information and dialogic engagement in governance.