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Mussa Iddi Mgwatu
Biography
Dr. Mussa I. Mgwatu is currently a Senior Lecturer of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM). He is also a Research Fellow in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management at University of South Africa (UNISA). Dr. Mgwatu holds a PhD degree in Engineering from University of Dar es Salaam specialising in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering degree from University of Ottawa, Canada, and BSc degree in Engineering degree from University of Dar es Salaam. He has gained international recognition as a Visiting Scholar at Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm (Sweden), Lehigh University (USA), and University of Twente (Netherlands), His scholarly potential has been acknowledged through prestigious scholarships, such as Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship, University of Ottawa Excellence Scholarship, Swedish Institute Scholarship, InWent Scholarship, Fulbright Scholarship and Sida-SAREC Scholarship. Dr. Mgwatu previously held key leadership roles both within and outside University of Dar es Salaam. As the Director of Research and Publication and Director of Quality Assurance Bureau at University of Dar es Salaam, he championed teaching and learning excellence as well as research governance and integrity. He was appointed to serve as the Managing Director of Reli Assets Holding Company Limited (RAHCO), Chief Executive Officer of Tanzania Electrical, Mechanical and Electronics Services Agency (TEMESA), and Board Director of Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL). He has been involved in various high-impact projects, notably the feasibility study and baseline design of standard gauge railways for Tanzania central corridor, inspection and commissioning of diesel-electric locomotives for Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC), and supervision of Government aircraft hangar construction in Dodoma region for Tanzania Government Flight Agency (TGFA). He is a key partner in ERASMUS+ CBHE project on fostering digital transformation of science in Kenya and Tanzania, a multinational initiative involving institutions from Tanzania, Kenya, Slovenia, Spain, and Netherlands. Throughout his career, Dr. Mgwatu has upheld the values of hard work, humility, honesty, and perseverance—principles that have guided his journey as an educator, researcher, and leader.
Research Interest
Modelling and analysis of manufacturing systems
Production planning and scheduling
Modelling and analysis of engineering system reliability
Optimisation of machining processes
CAD/CAM integration and process planning
Contacts
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Projects
ERASMUS+ CBHE Project on Fostering Digital Transformation of Science in Kenya and Tanzania
Consultancy Services for Management of Construction Works of Government Aircraft Hangar at Julius Nyerere International Airport Terminal I, Dar es Salaam Region for Tanzania Government Flight Agency
Non Destructive Test for 6×Gas Turbines Hot Gas and 2×Steam Turbines Minor Inspection at Kinyerezi II Gas Power Plant for Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited
Publications
F.D. Sinkamba, J.M. Matindana and M. Mgwatu (2026), Barriers to Lean Manufacturing Implementation for Manufacturing Industries in Tanzania, International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 207-233. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLSS-02-2024-0022
Matindana, J. M., Sinkamba, F. D., and Mgwatu, M. I. (2025). Lean Manufacturing Implementation Barriers for Micro, Small and Medium Industries in Tanzania: Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process. Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology, Vol. 44(4), 49-65. https://doi.org/10.65085/2619-8789.1047
Nshama, E. W., Laiser, S.D. and Mgwatu, M. I. (2025). Design of a Sequential Logic Control System for Water Recycling in Car Wash Operations for Minimising Utility Costs. Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology, Vol. 44(4), pp. 209-219. https://doi.org/10.65085/2619-8789.1080
Mgwatu, M. I. (2025). Combined Optimisation of Machining Parameters, Tool Wear, Dimensional Errors and Quality Deviations in Multi-Pass Turning Operations. Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology, Vol. 44(4), pp. 197-208. https://doi.org/10.65085/2619-8789.1082
Mgwatu, M. I. (2025), Comparative study on the application of GRA, PSI and hybrid PSI-GRA techniques for optimising turning parameters in multi-criteria problems, Tanzania Journal of Science: Vol. 51(3), Article 17. Available at: https://doi.org/10.65085/2507-7961.1062
J.M. Matindana, F. D. Sinkamba, and M.I. Mgwatu (2025), Driving Changes: Analyzing the Factors Influencing Lean Manufacturing Adoption in Tanzania Through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), Engineering Reports, available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/eng2.70414
J. Matindana, F. Sinkamba and M. Mgwatu (2025), Barriers to Lean Manufacturing implementation for micro industries in Tanzania: Structural equation modelling (sem), African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, Vol. 17(3), pp. 347-359, https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2025.2471095
Sinkamba, F. D., Matindana, J. M., & Mgwatu, M. (2025). Development of Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP)-Based Lean Manufacturing Maturity Criteria for The Tanzanian Context. Tanzania Journal of Science, Vol. 51(1), pp. 42–52. https://doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v51i1.4
F.D. Sinkamba, J.M. Matindana and M.I. Mgwatu (2025), From Micro to Macro: A Comprehensive Study on Lean Manufacturing Tools in Tanzanian Industries, Engineering Reports, Vol. 7(2), pp. 1-18, https://doi.org/10.1002/eng2.70020
Francis D. Sinkamba, Juma M. Matindana, and Mussa I. Mgwatu (2024), Lean Manufacturing Practices in Tanzania: Exploring Awareness, Training and Capital Investment, Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology, Vol. 43(2), pp. 242-261. https://doi.org/10.52339/tjet.v43i2.1024
Waruhiu, P. W., Marandu, S. I., and Mgwatu, M. I., (2024). Effects of Bending and Re-bending on Mechanical Properties of Locally-Manufactured Steel Rebars. Tanzania Journal of Science, Vol. 50(1), pp. 62–74. https://doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v50i1.5
Francis Sinkamba, Juma Matindana and Mussa Mgwatu (2023), Towards Lean Manufacturing in Developing Countries: Research Gaps and Directions in Tanzania, Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology, Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 26-45. https://doi.org/10.52339/tjet.v42i1.886
Msuya, R.A., Kainkwa, R.R.M. and Mgwatu, MI (2017), Design of A Small-Scale Wind Generator for Low Wind Speed Areas, Tanzania Journal of Science: Vol. 43(1), Article 9, https://doi.org/10.65085/2507-7961.1791
T.E. Mwinuka and M.I. Mgwatu (2015), Tool Selection for Rough and Finish CNC Milling Operations Based on Tool‐Path Generation and Machining Optimisation, Advances in Production Engineering and Management Journal, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 18-26. http://dx.doi.org/10.14743/apem2015.1.189
Liang, M., Mgwatu, M. and Zuo, M. (2001), Integration of Cutting Parameter Selection and Tool Adjustment Decisions for Multipass Turning. International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Vol. 17, pp. 861–869, https://doi.org/10.1007/s001700170097