Tanzania standard gauge railway gets financial support

The construction of Tanzania standard gauge railway Line has received much needed impetus after the China Exim Bank agreed to support the project with a USD7.6m loan.-

According to the ministry of transport officials the Tanzania standard gauge railway is expected to cover about 2,190-kilometre and will be implemented by Chinese contractors in assistance with local contractors.

The statement also added that the loan given will be able to fund the construction of the project fully and it’s expected to begin in the current financial year as the government has also allocated funds for the same.

The state officials added that the money that was given by the Chinese Bank will be able to finance the project.

Construction of the Tanzania standard gauge railway is expected to start this financial year as the government has also set aside about 1tri/- from the current budget for the purpose.

Standard gauge railway will enhance cross border trade

Once the project is complete it will be able to streamline Tanzania’s Transport Sector and will boost trade between Tanzania and its neighborhood countries.

The railway is expected to cover countries including Burundi, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The construction will involve three phases while the first phase will see the construction of the railway line from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza via Isaka and Tabora.

According to Exim Bank president, Mr Liu Liang they look forward to ensure the Transport sector of Tanzania gets to another level.

Mr Liu added that the bank will ensure that they cooperate with Tanzania in exchanging experience and skills on the construction of the railway and its management.

Liu added that they will have talks with Dr Magufuli to ensure they give the country more development funds.

East African countries are rushing to construct standard gauge railway seen as a key catalyst to spur growth. Kenya for instance is in nearing completion of its standard gauge railway which runs from the Coastal town of Mombasa to Nairobi.