Before Independence the Pwani Region was part of Eastern Province in which its Head quarters was at Morogoro. After Independence in 1961 the Government introduced Region which marked the end of Provinces System. After introduction of Region system the current Dar es Salaam region was a part of Coast Region and its head quarter was at Dar es Salaam.
In 1972 the government of Tanzania underwent Administrative changes which resulted into introduction of Dar es Salaam Region. Coast Region was officially launched in 1972 and remained with four (4) Districts which were Kisarawe, Rufiji, Bagamoyo and Mafia and its Head quarter was at Kibaha. Despite of those changes the Head quarter of Coast region remained at Dar es Salaam until 1979. The region remained with four districts until 1979 when Kibaha District was formed from Northern part of Kisarawe district and Southern part of Bagamoyo district. In July 1995 Mkuranga District was formed from the Eastern Coast of Kisarawe District leads Pwani Region to have six (6) Districts up to date. Since Independence up to date the Pwani Region was headed by 16 Regional Commissioner at different times.
After Tanganyika got her Independence we inherited Local Government as it was started during colonial period. During the early periods after independence there were three (3) groups of Local Government. The first group of Local Government were created under the Act no 72 of 1926 in which there 48 Local Government. In Pwani Region there was Bagamoyo, Rufiji and Kisarawe Councils. The second group was created under the Act no 333 of 1953 among them were Mafia Council which started in 1955. The third one was Dar es Salaam Municipal which was under the Act no 105 of 1946.
In 1972 Administration system was changed and lead to the formation of Decentralization by Devolution. Through that system different Regions were introduced numbers of Development Bodies and their Districts were introduced development bodies. Under the assistance of Regional Executive Director, the Regional Commissioner was the head of Admistration and Development issues in the Region. Development Executive Director was helped by 13 departments. Those Departments are Planning, Administration, Agriculture, Cooperative, Livestock, Community Development, Education, Health, Business, Traditional, Water, Buildings and Natural resources. Though the District Commissioner was the head of Administration and Development under the assistance of District Executive Development Officer and different heads as it was at Regional level.
The Districts Councils were established under the Act no 7 of 1982 and Town Councils were established under the Act no 8 of 1982. Local Government Authority was officially introduced in 1984 and Town and District Councils were introduced for the purpose of giving power to the community for their development.
