In April 2025, UNHCR Tanzania, in partnership with its trusted logistics partner AIRD and the Asset and Fleet Management Section (AFMS), launched a game-changing initiative: Smart Fleet for Partners. Born out of urgency, the pilot was a direct response to spiraling fleet costs amid declining donor funding. With operating budgets shrinking by 30% annually over four years, the sustainability of vehicle leasing, maintenance, and fuel consumption was under serious strain.
Under the old model, each implementing partner managed its fleet in a fragmented system that often led to duplication, underutilization, and higher costs. Smart Fleet changed that. Now, AIRD, as the lead service provider, manages a centralized pool of vehicles and drivers, dispatching them through a shared platform that coordinates trips across multiple organizations.
In Kibondo, the pilot site, fuel efficiency improved dramatically, even in the face of a 30% fuel budget cut. Trips were better coordinated, carpooling increased, and the number of vehicles on the road decreased. This not only lowered costs but also reduced carbon emissions, helping UNHCR meet its environmental sustainability goals. With just three fleet personnel and 17 dedicated drivers, the system proved that smarter, not larger, is the way forward.
Beyond numbers, the human impact is clear. Humanitarian workers are reaching the field on time, supplies are moving faster, and every dollar saved is redirected to where it’s needed most, supporting the lives and dignity of refugees.
The success in Kibondo has inspired confidence. In July 2025, donors greenlit the expansion of Smart Fleet to Kasulu, signaling a shift toward wider adoption of centralized fleet solutions across the region.
“Smart Fleet for Partners is not just a logistical upgrade, it’s a reflection of our commitment to innovation, transparency, and doing more with less,” said a representative from AIRD. “This is what it means to serve with impact.”
As the humanitarian sector grapples with rising demands and limited resources, Smart Fleet offers a beacon of what is possible when partners come together with vision, trust, and purpose. It’s a story of resilience, innovation, and collective action driving not just vehicles, but real, lasting change.