The Central Corridor Standard Gauge Railway will connect Tanzania's Dar es Salaam port with Rwanda, Burundi and the eastern DRC through the Dar es Salaam-Isaka-Mwanza, Tabora-Kigoma and Uvinza-Musongati-Gitega rail corridors. It aims to lower transport costs and improve regional connectivity.
The project forms part of the Central Corridor and is designed to improve rail connectivity between the Port of Dar es Salaam and the landlocked countries of Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Tabora-Kigoma section, approximately 411 km, is intended to connect with the Dar es Salaam-Tabora-Isaka Standard Gauge Railway. A further Uvinza-Musongati-Gitega railway section extends northwards from Uvinza station on the Tabora-Kigoma line towards Musongati and Gitega. The broader project also incorporates the Isaka-Kigali connection. The Isaka-Kigali SGR was designed for maximum operating speeds of approximately 160 km/h for passenger services and 120 km/h for freight, with electrification and a maximum axle load of 35 tonnes. The project is classified under PIDA PAP 2 as a Transport-Rail project covering Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania, with the Democratic Republic of Congo identified as a beneficiary country.
The project aims to:
- Reduce transport and logistics costs along the Central Corridor.
- Improve reliable rail access between the Port of Dar es Salaam and Rwanda, Burundi and eastern DRC.
- Strengthen regional and cross-border trade and economic integration.
- Improve access of landlocked countries to international markets.
- Increase the reliability and efficiency of freight and passenger rail transport.
- Support economic development and increased movement of goods along the Central Corridor