The governments of Tanzania and Burundi have signed an agreement to begin the construction of a 282-kilometre standard gauge railway (SGR) linking Uvinza, Tanzania, to Musongati, Burundi. Valued at Sh5.38 trillion, the project is set to be completed in six years and aims to enhance economic activity, particularly in the electricity, mining, telecommunications, and trade sectors.
The contract for the project has been awarded to Chinese companies CREGC & CREDC, with construction scheduled to start within two weeks. Prof. Godius Kahyarara, Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, emphasized the significance of the railway, which will benefit landlocked countries like Burundi, DRC, and Rwanda, with a focus on both transportation and telecommunication services.
The Tanzanian government is expanding its railway network by constructing 2,561 kilometres of SGR, including connections to the Dar es Salaam port, Mwanza, and Kigoma. The completed railway will facilitate better trade connections for Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda, all of which rely on the Tanzanian port for imports and exports.
Both countries are optimistic that the project will enhance trade, with Prof. Makame Mbarawa, Tanzania’s Minister for Works, stressing the need for international safety standards and effective financial management. The project also aims to transport key resources, such as nickel minerals from Musongati.
Burundi’s Minister for Infrastructure, Mr. Dieudonné Dukundane, highlighted the significance of the project in fostering economic growth and regional integration. The railway, which will be constructed in two phases, is supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB), marking a major transport investment in East Africa.
The project will include vital infrastructure, such as bridges connecting Tanzania and Burundi and several stations along the route.