The project is part of a bilateral initiative to establish a direct rail link between Tanzania and Burundi. The SGR section will connect Uvinza in Tanzania to Musongati in Burundi and is intended to support freight transport flows to and from the Port of Dar es Salaam.
According to statements made during the ceremony, the line will span a total of 300 km, of which 240 km will serve as the main line and 60 km as passing loops. Construction is scheduled to take 72 months. The contractor is expected to generate approximately 5,000 direct jobs during the implementation period.
Burundi’s transport minister noted that the railway is intended to reduce the cost of transporting a 20-foot container from Dar es Salaam to Burundi from USD 3,800 to USD 2,000. The rail line is also projected to allow for bulk freight operations.
The Uvinza–Musongati section forms part of a broader rail network project that has been under development by both governments.
