DAR ES SALAAM — Tanzania’s $10 billion Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) network, launched in June, is already delivering on its promise of boosting trade, creating jobs, and driving economic growth.
The railway, spanning over 2,500 kilometers, aims to connect Dar es Salaam to key cities like Mwanza and Kigoma, and ultimately link to neighboring countries such as Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“This project is set to boost business and attract investment by cutting transport times and costs, driving growth in domestic and international trade,” Kitila Mkumbo, Tanzania’s Minister of State in the President’s Office for Planning and Investment, said during a November 1 presentation to Parliament of the proposed 2025/26 Development Plan.
According to the minister, the SGR project is transforming the country into a leading transport and logistics hub in East and Southern Africa. It has created over 180,000 jobs, improved transportation, boosted local manufacturing, and attracted $4.59 billion in investment since 2023. The project is expected to create 115,566 more jobs and significantly enhance cross-border trade.
