Tanzania and Burundi have launched the construction of $2.15 billion modern standard gauge railway (SGR) connecting Uvinza in western Tanzania to Musongati in eastern Burundi.
The new railway project, which will span approximately 240 kilometers, is scheduled for completion in 2030.
It is expected to significantly reduce travel times for both passengers and cargo, enhancing regional trade and connectivity.
“Once completed, passengers will be able to travel from Musongati to Dar es Salaam in a single day. Currently, cargo trucks take up to 96 hours to reach Bujumbura from Dar es Salaam. With the railway, that journey will be reduced to just 20 hours,” said Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa
Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye celebrated the project as the fulfillment of a long-held vision.
He highlighted Burundi’s vast mineral resources, especially nickel, and acknowledged the strong investor demand in the sector. Many had raised concerns about transportation logistics, but the new railway now addresses those challenges. The president also expressed appreciation for Tanzania’s partnership in making the project possible.
He also shared plans to expand the railway in the future, aiming to reach Kindu in eastern DR Congo and eventually connect to West Africa’s Atlantic coast, with the goal of creating a pan-African development corridor.
Lin Xiaotong, a representative from China Railway Group Limited, which heads the consortium constructing the railway, stated that the cross-border line—designed with the international standard 1,435 mm gauge and fully electrified—is projected to be finished by approximately 2030.
The railway is a key component of the Central Corridor, a trade route that connects landlocked countries to the Port of Dar es Salaam.
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