East Africa has officially begun construction on its first cross-border standard gauge railway (SGR), a $2.15 billion project that will run 240 kilometers from Uvinza in western Tanzania to Musongati in eastern Burundi.
The foundation stone was laid on Saturday by Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, marking a major step in regional integration and transport modernization.
Prime Minister Majaliwa assured citizens that work would begin on time, highlighting the railway’s potential to transform trade and travel across the region.
“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,” he said.
Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye described the project as a long-awaited dream for his country, emphasizing its importance in unlocking mineral wealth and boosting connectivity.
“Many asked how we would transport the minerals. This railway is the answer,” he said, noting that the line will lower transport costs, expand trade, and link landlocked Burundi to global markets through Dar es Salaam.
Don’t Miss This:
Kenya Forecasts Faster Than Expected Growth In 2025
According to Business Insider, the project promises to sharply reduce transit times and shipping costs.
Tanzania’s Transport Minister, Prof. Makame Mbarawa, explained that transporting a 20-foot container will fall from $3,800 to about $2,000, while a single train will carry up to 3,000 tonnes of cargo, compared to just 30 tonnes by road.
The Uvinza–Musongati SGR is also another example of China’s growing role in Africa’s infrastructure sector.
Construction is being led by China Railway Group Limited (CREC), one of the world’s largest contractors, which has carried out major projects in Angola, Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal.
According to Lin Xiaotong, a CREC representative, the railway will be built to the 1,435 mm international standard gauge, fully electrified, and is expected to be completed by 2030.
Once finished, it will be the first railway linking two nations in East Africa and one of the region’s most ambitious bilateral infrastructure projects.
Analysts say the railway could reshape East Africa’s logistics by cutting reliance on costly road transport and slashing delivery times.
For Burundi, one of Africa’s most isolated economies, the SGR is expected to unlock better market access and fuel industrial growth, especially in developing its large nickel reserves.
For Tanzania, it reinforces its modernization plans and strengthens its position as a key transit hub for landlocked neighbors connecting to the Indian Ocean.
Don’t Miss This:
Uganda Targets Export Boost With $250m Chinese-funded Large-scale Gold Project
Image Credit: CediRates
