Tanzania- In a significant milestone, Tanzania and Burundi have solidified a groundbreaking agreement amounting to $900 million for the construction of a 282-kilometer railway line. This transformative project aims to connect the western Tanzanian town of Uvinza with the Burundian capital city of Gitega, fostering economic growth and regional connectivity. The formalization of this deal took place in the town of Kigoma, where Tanzania’s Minister of Finance, Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba, and Burundi’s Minister of Works and Transport, Makame Mbarawa, sealed the agreement.
Collaboratively, Tanzania and Burundi will undertake the construction effort, with Tanzania focusing on a 156-kilometer section from Malagarasi to Uvinza, and Burundi responsible for the remaining 126 kilometers to Gitega. The primary objective is to facilitate the annual transportation of a million tonnes of cargo between the two nations, including the movement of 3 million tonnes of minerals from Burundi to Tanzania. This ambitious initiative is poised to reduce transportation costs, drive rapid industrialization, and bolster the overall regional economy.
This railway initiative is a crucial component of Tanzania’s expansive vision to construct a 2,561-kilometer long standard gauge rail line, linking the main port of Dar es Salaam to the hinterlands of Eastern and Southern Africa. The initial phase, covering 1,219 kilometers and connecting Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, is already underway. Tanzania has also entered into agreements, including one with Yapi Merkezi in December 2021, to construct specific stretches of the standard gauge rail line.
The African Development Bank has stepped in to support the second phase of the Tanzania–Burundi–DR Congo standard gauge railway, approving financing totaling almost $700 million. This funding will aid in the construction of 651 kilometers of electrified single-track railway, further integrating the region’s transportation infrastructure.
Envisioned as a catalyst for economic development, the railway project aims to provide efficient and cost-effective long-haul bulk transport services. It seeks to incentivize large-scale mining and commercial agriculture, transforming the central transport corridor into a thriving economic hub. The connection to the port of Dar es Salaam positions the railway as a pivotal force in enhancing trade and manufacturing opportunities.
The benefits extend to Burundi, which stands to gain significantly from the project by intensifying the exploitation of its vast nickel deposits and other valuable resources like lithium and cobalt. The shift from road to rail transport is expected to bring about a reduction in accidents and high road maintenance costs.
Tanzania’s Finance Minister, Mwigulu Nchemba, expressed optimism regarding securing funding for the railway project, assuring stakeholders that funds would be made available for its successful implementation. As the engineering reports are eagerly awaited, the total cost of the venture is anticipated to be no more than $900 million.
This strategic infrastructure development aligns seamlessly with Tanzania’s broader ambitions to upgrade its existing roads and railways, creating a robust regional transport network that capitalizes on its extensive coastline. The agreement represents a significant stride forward in fostering economic growth, regional connectivity, and trade facilitation for Tanzania and Burundi. As these nations embark on this transformative journey, the railway project is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future landscape of the region.
