Tanzania and Burundi have officially launched the construction of a $2.15 billion standard gauge railway (SGR) linking Uvinza in Tanzania to Musongati in Burundi. The cross-border line, stretching over 240 kilometers, is designed to ease cargo movement, reduce costs, and strengthen regional trade.
Once complete, the railway will cut cargo transport time between Dar es Salaam and Bujumbura from 96 hours to just 20 hours. Transport costs will also drop significantly, with the price of shipping a 20-foot container falling from $3,800 to $2,000. A single train will carry up to 3,000 tons of goods, compared to the 30-ton capacity of a typical truck.
The project is expected to take five years, including a one-year trial phase. Future extensions are planned to connect the railway to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and potentially reach the Atlantic Ocean, facilitating the export of minerals, especially nickel.
Speaking at the launch, Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan, emphasized the railway’s strategic importance. Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye described it as the fulfillment of a century-old dream, aligning with Burundi’s Vision 2040 and Vision 2060 development goals.
As members of the East African Community (EAC), the two nations already benefit from trade cooperation. In 2024, bilateral trade between Tanzania and Burundi reached nearly $140 million, a figure expected to grow substantially once the railway becomes operational.
