Tanzania’s electric Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), launched three months ago, is transforming regional transportation and economic opportunities. The railway, East Africa’s first electric train within the East African Community, aims to enhance trade, reduce travel times, and promote sustainable development.
Inaugurated by President Samia Suluhu Hassan during a grand event in Dodoma, the railway currently operates along a completed 722-kilometer stretch from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma. This section, part of a broader 1,457-kilometer route connecting Dar es Salaam to Mwanza on Lake Victoria, accommodates around 1,500 passengers daily. Future expansions include a 506-kilometer extension from Tabora to Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika.
The $6.5 billion project is expected to connect Tanzania with neighboring countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, offering modern alternatives to the aging meter-gauge railway. By facilitating faster and more efficient transportation of goods and people, the SGR is set to lower logistical barriers, boost tourism, and attract local and foreign investments.
Environmental benefits include reducing carbon emissions by 80,000 tonnes annually. Despite its potential, challenges such as technical expertise shortages remain. The Ministry of Transport has introduced regulations to encourage public-private partnerships for sustainable railway management.
Several Tanzanian companies and international investors have expressed interest in maintaining and operating the railway, with plans for luxury tourism services and enhanced freight capabilities. The government has allocated funds for 264 cargo wagons, and the World Food Programme has donated additional wagons for agricultural transport.
This transformative infrastructure project reflects Tanzania’s commitment to modernizing transportation and driving economic growth within East Africa.