Tanzania Begins Construction of $2.9 Billion Railway to Lake Tanganyika

 Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has launched the construction of the sixth phase of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which will connect Tabora with the port city of Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika. The project is valued at approximately $2.9 billion and spans 506 kilometers, the Tanzanian publication The Citizen reports.

The new railway will reduce travel time between Dar es Salaam and Kigoma from more than 20 hours to eight hours, which is expected to unlock new business opportunities along the western corridor. The project, already more than 10% complete, will create about 15,000 jobs for residents of the Kigoma and Tabora regions. Completion of the railway is scheduled for 2030.

The launch of the SGR phase marks a fulfillment of President Samia Suluhu Hassan's campaign promise to revive Kigoma. During the project's launch ceremony in the region, the head of state also initiated the construction of four cargo vessels, laid the foundation for a new passenger pier, and inspected the progress of the modernization of the cargo pier at Kigoma Port.

"During the 2025 election campaign, I promised that we would revive Kigoma and restore its former status. As part of fulfilling this promise, today I launched the construction of four cargo vessels, laid the foundation for the sixth phase of the modern railway from Tabora to Kigoma, and also inspected the progress of the new passenger pier and the modernization of the cargo pier at Kigoma Port," Hassan said after the ceremony.

The president stated that the SGR expansion will boost trade by connecting Kigoma with Dar es Salaam port and neighboring countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. The project is part of a broader government plan to create an integrated transport system linking production zones with domestic and external markets.

"The major investments we are making in ports, airports, railways, and roads in every corner of our country are creating an integrated transport system that connects production zones with domestic and external markets. Furthermore, this strengthens our position as a hub for trade and investment, reduces transport and logistics costs, and creates jobs," the president added.

Earlier in July, construction began in Dar es Salaam on a modern training center and transport management center as part of the $1.4 billion modernization of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA).