A US$2.15 billion contract has been signed to build the first main line railway from Uvinza, Tanzania, to Musongati, Burundi. The project, funded by the African Development Bank, will enhance mineral exports from Burundi to the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam. Construction will occur in two segments, with a memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries in January 2022.
On January 29, a substantial contract worth US$2.15 billion was awarded for the construction of an electrified standard gauge railway that will connect Uvinza in Tanzania to Musongati in Burundi. This railway is poised to be the first main line in the landlocked nation of Burundi. The agreement involved Tanzanian and Burundian officials, along with China Railway Engineering Group and China Railway Engineering Design & Consulting Group. Funding for the project is being supplied by the African Development Bank through a concessional loan.
Mwigulu Nchemba, Tanzania’s Finance Minister, emphasized the importance of this project, stating, “This is a very significant moment because it marks the first foray of AfDB in the financing of Tanzania’s railway projects.” The railway will facilitate the export of various minerals, including nickel, platinum, palladium, copper, gold, and iron from Burundi to the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam, with an annual estimated flow of up to 3 million tonnes.
The project will unfold in two segments. The Tanzanian portion will diverge northward from the planned Tabora-Kigoma railway at Uvinza, extending roughly 120 kilometers toward the Malagarasi River, where a 1-kilometer long combined road-rail bridge will be constructed. Subsequently, the Burundian section will progress north to Musongati, completing the vital link between the two nations.
A memorandum of understanding pertaining to the railway’s construction was established between Tanzania and Burundi in January 2022. In December of the same year, the Tanzanian government entered a contract valued at US$2.2 billion with Chinese firms for the construction of a 411-kilometer line connecting Tabora, Uvinza, and Kigoma, which branches off from the standard gauge Dar es Salaam-Mwanza railway.
This new railway initiative signifies a pivotal advancement in East Africa’s transportation infrastructure, particularly for landlocked Burundi. It will not only enhance the region’s export capacity for minerals but also foster deeper economic ties between Tanzania and Burundi. With financial backing from the African Development Bank, the project illustrates the potential for international collaboration in infrastructure development. The commencement of this railway marks a milestone in enhancing the connectivity between Tanzania and Burundi, supporting the economic growth of the region.
Original Source: www.railwaygazette.com
