Burundi and Tanzania Launch Construction of Cross-Border Railway
Burundi and Tanzania launch Uvinza–Musongati railway project, a $2.15bn, 282 km line to boost trade, integration, and mineral exports across East Africa.
Published:
August 17, 2025 at 12:43:38 PM
Modified:
August 17, 2025 at 12:43:38 PM
Burundi and Tanzania have begun construction of the Uvinza–Musongati railway, a cross-border line seen as a major boost to regional trade and integration in East and Southern Africa.
The project was officially launched on 16 August 2025 at Rubara Hill in Burundi’s Burunga province by President Évariste Ndayishimiye, alongside Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, who represented President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The ceremony marked the laying of the foundation stone for the long-anticipated line, which will connect the Tanzanian town of Uvinza to Musongati in Burundi.
Strategic Importance for the Region
The railway forms part of a wider East African Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) network. Only weeks earlier, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) inaugurated a block train service linking Dar es Salaam with the Congo, underscoring the momentum for regional infrastructure development.
President Ndayishimiye hailed the project as a “major lever” for Burundi’s long-term national development plans.
“Thank you for your support. This path will be a major lever for the realization of the Vision 2040–2060,” he said, referring to Burundi’s long-term economic strategy.
Prime Minister Majaliwa stated that the railway would be completed within the agreed-upon timeline, aligning with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 for continental development. He emphasised that the new line will not only connect Burundi and Tanzania, but also open wider access to Southern African Development Community (SADC) markets, given the DRC’s strategic position.
Key Numbers – Uvinza–Musongati Railway
Length: 282 km (240 km of main track + 42 km of passing loops
Cost: Estimated US $2.15 billion
Construction Timeline: 72 months (6 years) + 1 year observation phase
Capacity: Up to 3 million tonnes of minerals annually, mainly nickel
Trade Link: Connects Burundi to Tanzania’s Port of Dar es Salaam and onward to SADC markets
Sources: RailJournal, RailMarket, regional infrastructure reports
Economic Impact
Burundi, where over 80% of the population depends on farming, is expected to benefit significantly from easier access to regional and continental markets. Officials highlighted the line’s role in advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), reducing transport costs, and stabilising GDP per capita growth.
The project is also viewed as a step toward reducing the isolation of landlocked Burundi, creating new opportunities for trade, agriculture, and industrial exports.
The ceremony was attended by Burundi’s Vice-President Prosper Bazombanza, members of the Burundian government, senior Tanzanian officials, the Secretary General of the CNDD-FDD ruling party, and the Chinese ambassador to Burundi. The presence of Tanzanian musician Harmonize added a cultural note to the celebrations.
While the new line strengthens East African Community (EAC) cooperation, regional analysts note that Rwanda, also a member of the bloc, is not involved in this corridor, amid ongoing political and security tensions.
Once completed, the Uvinza–Musongati line will form a critical part of a future regional network, linking Burundi and Tanzania more closely with the DRC and the Indian Ocean. Leaders say the initiative embodies the African Union’s goal of “connecting Africa by rail” and represents a concrete step toward regional integration.
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