On January 29, 2025, Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) officially signed a contract worth 2.154 billion US dollars with China Railway and China Railway Design Consortium for the construction of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). The contract involves Lot 7 and Lot 8 of Tanzania Standard Gauge Railway, connecting Uwenza to Musongati, Burundi, with a total length of 282 km and an estimated construction period of 72 months (6 years).

Project Overview

The total length of the railway constructed this time is 282 kilometers, including 240 kilometers of mainline and 42 kilometers of siding. The project is divided into two main sections: the first section is 180 kilometers long from Uvenza to Malaga Rasi; The second section extends from Malaga Rasi to Musungati, with a length of 102 kilometers. A major highlight of the project is the construction of a one kilometer long cross-border bridge that can accommodate both railway and highway traffic, reflecting the concept of comprehensive utilization of infrastructure.

Project significance

The project will not only significantly improve the connectivity capacity of East Africa, but also promote the export of nickel resources in Burundi, injecting new impetus into the process of regional economic integration. The Tanzanian Minister of Transport pointed out that this project is an important component of achieving the African Union's 2026 Agenda and will contribute significantly to the railway connectivity of the African continent.

Economic and social benefits

The standard gauge railway project under construction in Tanzania has created over 30000 job opportunities, generated over 350 billion shillings in revenue, and generated approximately 3.7 trillion shillings in subcontracting contracts for Tanzanian contractors. The signing of this new project is expected to further enhance Tanzania's economic vitality and social benefits.

Prospects for Regional Cooperation

Participants in this contract include the Tanzanian government (through the Tanzanian Railway Corporation), the government of Burundi (through its Infrastructure Department), and the consortium formed by China Railway and China Railway Design. At the same time, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are actively promoting the feasibility study of the Musongati Kindu railway section, showing a broad prospect for regional connectivity. As the first railway project supported by the African Development Bank in Tanzania, this project will deepen the economic and trade ties in East Africa and is a milestone in promoting regional economic integration.(This article is from the official website of Jian Dao www.seetao.com. Reproduction without permission is prohibited, otherwise it will be prosecuted. Please indicate Jian Dao website+original link when reprinting.) Jian Dao website strategy column editor/Miao Ting