Construction Begins on $2.15 Billion Uvinza–Musongati Railway Project


East Africa has officially commenced construction of its first cross-border standard gauge railway (SGR), a $2.15 billion infrastructure project that will stretch 240 kilometers from Uvinza in western Tanzania to Musongati in eastern Burundi.

 
The groundbreaking ceremony, led by Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, marked the start of works on what is set to be a transformative project for the region’s transport network.
 
The railway will be built to the 1,435 mm international standard gauge and fully electrified, according to China Railway Group Limited (CREC), the project’s main contractor. CREC, one of the world’s largest construction companies, has been tasked with delivering the railway by 2030.
 
At the heart of the construction plan are modern rail systems capable of handling high-capacity cargo and passenger services. Once complete, trains will carry up to 3,000 tonnes of freight per trip—vastly exceeding the 30-tonne capacity of road trucks. The project also incorporates advanced electrification, signaling, and supporting infrastructure to ensure efficiency and safety.
 
The scale of construction includes laying new tracks across challenging terrain, building bridges and support structures, and developing cargo-handling facilities. Alongside the main line, dedicated loading yards, maintenance depots, and electrification stations will be installed to sustain operations.
 
Prime Minister Majaliwa emphasized that construction would proceed as scheduled, underlining its importance in cutting travel time from Musongati to Dar es Salaam to just 20 hours. Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye noted that the railway would be vital for moving minerals especially nickel from Burundi to international markets through Tanzania’s port of Dar es Salaam.
 
Beyond boosting trade, the construction of the Uvinza–Musongati SGR represents a major leap in regional integration, as it will become East Africa’s first railway connecting two countries. Analysts note that the project will not only transform Burundi’s landlocked economy but also strengthen Tanzania’s position as a transport hub for the region.
 
The project’s completion in 2030 is expected to stand as one of East Africa’s most ambitious construction undertakings, reshaping the region’s logistics and infrastructure landscape for decades to come.

Posted on : 13 Sep,2025

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