This content is the exclusive copyright of Construction Review Online (constructionreviewonline.com). Original URL: https://constructionreviewonline.com/tanzania-sgr-president-samia-to-launch-506km-tabora-kigoma-railway-construction/. © 2026 Group Africa. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction, scraping or republication is strictly prohibited and constitutes wilful copyright infringement. If you are reading this on any site other than constructionreviewonline.com, the content has been stolen.

Tanzania’s President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan will launch the construction of the eagerly-awaited 506-kilometre Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line from Tabora to Kigoma. This will mark another milestone in Tanzania’s railway modernisation programme. Additionally, it will open a strategic transport corridor that will link the Port of Dar es Salaam with the Great Lakes region. This project is expected to boost Tanzania’s railway transport capacity, with the country seeking to build more railway infrastructure in bid to enhance connectivity.

Benefits of the Project

The Tabora-Kigoma railway, known as SGR Lot Six, will provide faster, safer and more affordable transport for passengers and cargo. Furthermore, it will stimulate trade, investment and tourism in western Tanzania and neighbouring countries.

Also, the railway will strengthen Tanzania’s role as a regional logistics hub by linking the Port of Dar es Salaam to Lake Tanganyika. This will provide a key trade gateway to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi while significantly reducing transit time and transport costs.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Set for 20th July 2026

President Samia will officiate the groundbreaking ceremony during a one-day working visit to Kigoma Region on Monday.

Announcing the visit at a press briefing, Kigoma Regional Commissioner Ambassador Simon Sirro described the project as a game changer. He stated the project will integrate Kigoma into the national SGR network and transform the region’s economic landscape.

“The implementation of this project will enable fast, safe and affordable transportation for both cargo and passengers,” Ambassador Sirro said.

Moreover, he said the modern railway would significantly reduce travel time and freight costs. Additionally, it will improve the movement of goods and people between western Tanzania and other parts of the country.

According to Ambassador Sirro, the railway would unlock new opportunities in trade, tourism, agriculture, mining and investment. This will be achieved by improving access to domestic and regional markets.

“The SGR will unlock economic, tourism and business opportunities for Kigoma and neighbouring countries in the Great Lakes region,” he said.

Four New Vessels to be Constructed for Lake Tanganyika Transportation Activities

Other than launching the railway project, President Samia will also lay the foundation stone for the construction of four new vessels for Lake Tanganyika. This comes in as part of government efforts to strengthen water transport and enhance regional connectivity.

According to Ambassador Sirro, the vessels would improve the safety, reliability and efficiency of marine transport while facilitating trade and movement of people among communities living along the lake and neighbouring countries that share its waters.

“The new vessels will enhance water transport, improve safety and stimulate economic activities for people living around Lake Tanganyika and the countries bordering the lake,” he said.

Describing the visit as historic, the Regional Commissioner called on Kigoma residents to turn out in large numbers to welcome the President and witness the launch of the flagship infrastructure projects.

“On behalf of the Regional Government, I invite all Kigoma residents to come out in large numbers to welcome our beloved President and participate in this historic occasion for our region and the nation,” he said.

Part of Phase II of Tanzania’s Standard Gauge Railway Project

The Tabora-Kigoma railway is part of the second phase of Tanzania’s Standard Gauge Railway project.

Presenting his ministry’s 2026/27 budget estimates in Parliament, Minister for Transport Prof Makame Mbarawa stated that the SGR is being implemented in two phases.

Phase 1 and Phase 2

The first phase covers the 1,219-kilometre Dar es Salaam-Mwanza route. As for the second phase, it comprises the Tabora-Kigoma and Uvinza-Musongati sections, with a combined length of 1,590 kilometres.

Upon completion of both phases, Tanzania will have a total of 2,809 kilometres of Standard Gauge Railway, significantly enhancing domestic and regional connectivity, lowering transport costs and supporting economic integration across East and Central Africa.

Tabora-Kigoma Railway: Project Factsheet

Project Name: Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Project – Lot 6

Route: Tabora Urban-Uyui-Urambo-Kaliua- Kigoma Rural-Kigoma Urban

Total Project Length: 506 km

• Mainline track: 411 km
• Passing loops and siding tracks: 95 km

Key Intersecting Hub: Uvinza (the designated jump-off point for the future cross-border SGR link into Burundi and the DRC).

Executing Agency: Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC)

Contractors: China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in joint venture with China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC).

Technical Specifications:

• Track Gauge: 1,435 mm (Standard International Gauge
• Electrification System: 25 kV AC 50 Hz overhead catenary
• Maximum Passenger Train Speed: 160 km/h
• Maximum Freight Train Speed: 120 km/h
• Rail Profile Type: 60 UIC continuously welded rail
• Sleeper Assembly: Pre-stressed mono-block concrete sleepers (approx. 2.6m length)

Financing and Macro Context:

• Total SGR Network Investment: The Tanzanian government’s total capital commitment across all active SGR lots exceeds USD 10 billion.
• Lot 6 and Phase II Financing Partners: Financed through a mix of government funding, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and syndicated international credit arrangements (including Deutsche Bank and Société Générale).

Project Team

Project Proponent and Oversight (Client):

• The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania (GoT): Acting primarily through the Ministry of Transport (led by Minister Prof. Makame Mbarawa), which coordinates high-level state planning and bilateral cross-border agreements.
• Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC): The state-owned implementing agency responsible for the overall management, development, and eventual operation of the infrastructure.

Primary Engineering and Construction Contractors

• China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC): Lead partner in the joint venture, handling core civil engineering, heavy structural installations, and localized track laying.
• China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC): Joint partner focusing on systemic deployment, heavy equipment mobilization, and tech integration across the standard gauge profile.

Engineering Consultancy & Supervision

• Grupo TYPSA (Spain): Appointed to oversee comprehensive construction contract management. Their role covers detailed design reviews, validation of strict technical railway metrics (electrification, signaling, catenary systems), and structural civil works supervision.
• Dar Al-Handasah: Engaged in a consulting capacity to support structural infrastructure frameworks along the Central Corridor expansion.
• COWI Tanzania: Initially contracted by the Ministry to carry out foundational architectural design parameters and initial feasibility assessments.
• PaulSam Geo-Engineering Company Ltd: Retained to conduct localized environmental and social baseline evaluations (ESIA reporting) to match International Finance Corporation (IFC) benchmarks.

Financing Partners and Institutional Backing

• African Development Bank (AfDB): Serving as a primary multilateral anchor financier for Phase II logistics corridors linking Tanzania, Burundi, and the DRC.
• Syndicated Commercial Lenders: A banking consortium including Deutsche Bank and Société Générale, backing the strategic rollout via structured credit arrangements.