Tanzania, Burundi sign agreement for SGR link

By James Kandoya , The Guardian
Published at 08:30 PM Jan 29 2025

AN agreement to construction standard gauge railway (SGR) from Uvinza (Tanzania) to Musongati (Burundi), a 282 kilometre stretch costing $2.154bn (5.6trn/-) was signed in Dar es Salaam today.
Photo: Correspondent
AN agreement to construction standard gauge railway (SGR) from Uvinza (Tanzania) to Musongati (Burundi), a 282 kilometre stretch costing $2.154bn (5.6trn/-) was signed in Dar es Salaam today.

AN agreement to construction standard gauge railway (SGR) from Uvinza (Tanzania) to Musongati (Burundi), a 282 kilometre stretch costing $2.154bn (5.6trn/-) was signed in Dar es Salaam today.

Prof Makame Mbarawa, the Transport minister, said at the signing ceremony that the project consists of two sections: from Uvinza to Malagarasi (180 kilometers) and from Malagarasi to Musongati (102 kilometers) long.

He asked the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) management to ensure that the construction works meet international standards, that the project funds are properly managed to achieve set objectives, while avoiding to undermine its quality.

He recommended involving local communities like extending job opportunities for residents in areas the railway passes, so that they improve their livelihoods and boost economic activity via this project.

He cited the African Union's agenda to have all African countries connected by modern railways by 2026, with Tanzania expected to play a significant role to realising this objective in the eastern Africa region.

Capt. Diuodone Dukundane, the Infrastructure minister for Burundi, said that this was a significant step taken by leaders of the two countries, and it would expand trade and economic growth in both countries.

This project, once completed, will serve as a model for other African nations as it shows how countries joining together can achieve great progress, he stated.

Dr Mwigulu Nchemba, the Finance minister, said that project funds are ready and the selection of a contractor is being awaited, a process set to be completed right away so that construction work can proceed.

The two countries worked jointly to secure funds for the project through the African Development Bank, the first time the regional lender has invested in railway development, he stated.

For the railway to be effective it must be completed in its entirety to achieve its full benefits, in which case all the remaining sections, including Tabora to Mwanza and also to Kigoma, will be completed to align with the construction of the section from Tanzania to Burundi.

Masanja Kadogosa, the TRC director general, said that building the Uvinza-Musongati section will take upwards of 72 months, as it also involved constructing bridges and freight terminals.

The planned infrastructure will be completed to high international standards and value for money, with the second phase of construction underway in Tabora and Kigoma, he stated.

The project will be executed by the China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) and the China Railway Engineering Consulting Group (CEC), he stated.

Selemani Kakoso (Mpanda Rural), chairman of the parliamentary committee on Infrastructure, praised the AfDB and the two governments for overseeing the project’s successful launch.

The project, from Dodoma to Makutupora, Tabora to Kigoma, should run in parallel with building the Uvinza to Musongati section as it will speed up the work and stimulate further economic growth, he added.