The most important transport infrastructure project in Tanzania has been recently announced. It includes the standard-gauge rail that links Dar es Salaam Port to west and from there to the other transport modes. With a total cost of over USD 7 billion, the project is to be implemented starting with 2017.
Tanzania, a country with a poorly developed economy, sees transport development as a pillar of economic growth. As other African countries, Tanzania wants to develop its railway infrastructure by building standard-gauge corridors to provide connections between ports, including for neighbouring countries. The railway network measures 4,500 km of narrow gauge. The authorities choose to build standard-gauge lines to ensure rapid connections to the networks of neighbouring countries, countries that also plan the construction of standard-gauge railways.
In 2015, the Tanzanian Government announced plans to invest USD 14 billion through commercial loans to build the country’s rail infrastructure until 2021. By implementing projects, Tanzania wants to become a regional transport hub as it holds a series of ports serving the hinterland and the landlocked neighbouring countries – Malawi, Zambia, Congo, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda. Tanzania’s transport system is one of the main growth factors and the development of an attractive railway system will contribute to the economic development of the country and of neighbouring regions.
One of the important projects recently announced by the authorities is the tender on the development of the standard-gauge railway (SGR) between the east and the north-west. “The planned standard gauge railway line will improve regional trade links and help to boost the economies of Tanzania and its landlocked neighbours including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),” a statement of the State House said.
The corridor will provide a rail connection on the east-west axis, between Tanzania’s most important port, Dar es Salaam (east) and Mwanza (north-west). The 1,214 km rail project is implemented in several phases. The tender for the design and construction of the 2020-km section between the Port of Dar es Salaam and Morogoro was announced in September. Following its intention of developing the project, Reli Assets Holding Company Limited (RAHCO) announced in November 4 tenders for the design and construction of the remaining sections, developed in parallel to the existing railway.
All sections announced within the tender have a total length of over 1,000 km: Morogoro – Makutopora (336 km), Makutopora – Tabora (294 km), Tabora – Isaka (133 km) and Isaka – Mwanza (294 km). According to estimates, construction works for these sections will be initiated in the financial year 2017.
Projects are estimated at USD 7.6 billion. The Government has managed to get financing from the Import-Export Exim Bank of China. The project will be implemented by Chinese contracts assisted by local contractors.
by Pamela Luica
Share on:
