Tanzania's western infrastructure has achieved a major breakthrough, and national railway projects have officially started construction. Under the joint witness of the President and nearly 10000 representatives from all walks of life, the standard gauge railway section constructed by Chinese enterprises has successfully laid the foundation, laying a solid foundation for the development of local livelihoods and regional connectivity.

The project has officially started construction

On July 20, 2026, the groundbreaking ceremony for the sixth section of the Tanzania Central Standard Gauge Railway was held in the Kigoma area. President Hassan attended the groundbreaking ceremony, which was witnessed by Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian and nearly 10000 representatives from various local sectors. The project is undertaken by a joint venture between China Railway Construction and China Civil Engineering Corporation. The total length of the line is 450 kilometers, including 375 kilometers of main line and 75 kilometers of siding, covering a complete set of construction contents such as roadbed, bridges, tracks, four electricity systems, and stations. The geological conditions along the project route are complex, and the construction of control engineering is difficult, making it a core and key infrastructure project in the local area. Keywords: China Africa infrastructure cooperation, standard gauge railway

Beneficial for regional development

As a backbone project of the Central East African Corridor, this railway can connect Tanzania's inland and overseas channels, facilitate logistics channels for multiple inland countries such as Uganda and Rwanda, effectively reduce regional passenger and freight transportation costs, and drive the coordinated upgrading of multiple industries along the route. During the project construction period, it will create approximately 15000 job opportunities for the local area, cultivate local skilled workers, and improve the local industrial chain. The contractor will adhere to the concept of high-quality and high standard construction, rely on refined localized management, build a benchmark project for China Africa infrastructure cooperation, and continue to help the the Belt and Road construction and East Africa economic integration process.Editor/Min Jing