Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa today (Saturday, August 16, 2025) laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Uvinza in Tanzania to Musongati in Burundi, assuring citizens from both countries that construction will begin as scheduled.
Speaking on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the groundbreaking ceremony held in Musongati, Burundi, the Prime Minister said the 240-kilometer railway will be the first cross-border modern railway in East Africa once completed.
“The completion of this railway will enhance market connectivity and boost trade between Tanzania and Burundi,” he said.
“When the railway is complete, our people will be able to travel from here to Dar es Salaam within a day. Currently, it takes 96 hours for a truck to transport cargo from Dar to Bujumbura, but once the railway is operational, the same journey by train will take only 20 hours.”
“The modern railway project will not only ease passenger and cargo transport, but will also open up new investment and business opportunities between the two nations.”
He explained that the railway will cost approximately USD 2.154 billion and is expected to be completed within five years, with the first year dedicated to preparatory work.
Burundi’s President, Major General Evariste Ndayishimiye, hailed the launch of the project as a long-awaited dream come true for his country.
“Today is a day of great joy for us. We have found the answer to a decades-old quest. This project was first initiated in 1921 by the Belgians, followed by the Germans, but it failed. Today, Tanzania and Burundi have succeeded,” he said.
He highlighted Burundi’s mineral wealth and shared how the lack of reliable transportation had hindered investment.
“There was a time I convened a meeting of investors from various countries. Many were interested and wanted to invest immediately, but they asked, ‘If we start mining nickel, how will we transport it?’”
“That challenge forced us to think critically and find a solution. We are deeply grateful to the Government of Tanzania for agreeing to partner with us on this vital project. From here, we want the railway to connect to Kindu in eastern DRC. After that, we aim for it to reach West Africa, all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, because we believe that this route will significantly accelerate development.”
He also commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for driving rapid development in Tanzania.
“When you return home, tell Madam Samia Suluhu Hassan that we truly commend her for bringing fast-paced development to Tanzania.”
“I lived in Tanzania for a long time, and now when I visit, I might get lost. I know Magomeni, Tabata, Vingunguti, Mwenge, and I used to stay in Kinondoni — but due to the level of development, I could easily get lost. We thank her for her strong leadership.”
Earlier, the Minister for Transport, Prof. Makame Mbarawa, said the project aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which aims to connect the continent through a modern railway network.
He added that in addition to connecting the two countries, the railway will reduce the cost of transporting goods.
“Currently, transporting a 20-foot container costs about USD 3,800, but once the railway is complete, the cost will drop to around USD 2,000.”
He also noted the massive capacity advantage of rail transport.
“At present, a truck can carry about 30 tonnes of cargo, but with the railway, we will be able to transport up to 3,000 tonnes in a single trip,” he said.
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