Tanzania has launched a major package of railway, port and cargo-vessel projects designed to turn Kigoma into a stronger trade gateway between the Indian Ocean and the Great Lakes region.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan laid the foundation stone for the Tabora–Kigoma section of Tanzania's Standard Gauge Railway on July 20, 2026. During the same event in Kigoma, she also launched four new cargo vessels and expansion works at Kigoma Port on Lake Tanganyika.
Together, the projects are intended to create a faster transport chain linking Dar es Salaam with western Tanzania, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi.
The main project is the 506-kilometre Tabora–Kigoma SGR, also known as Lot Six of Tanzania's modern railway network.
Tanzania Railways Corporation says the section includes 411 kilometres of main railway line and 95 kilometres of passing loops and sidings. It will also have 10 passenger stations and two major freight terminals at Uvinza and Katosho.
The Citizen reported the value of the rail project at Sh6.31 trillion during the July 20 launch. When the construction contract was signed in December 2022, TRC valued it at $2.21 billion, then equivalent to Sh5.12 trillion.
The railway is being built by a joint venture between China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and China Railway Construction Corporation.
Construction has passed 10 percent, according to figures reported at the launch, and completion is now scheduled for 2030. This means the ceremony marked the formal launch of the project in Kigoma, not the opening of a completed railway service.
Four cargo vessels added to Lake Tanganyika
President Samia also launched four cargo vessels intended to increase the movement of goods across Lake Tanganyika.
REGIONAL ECONOMY
Tanzania Launches Rail-Lake Trade Corridor to DRC
Jul 20, 2026
Jul 28, 2026
5 min read
Published
Updated:
Tanzania has launched a major package of railway, port and cargo-vessel projects designed to turn Kigoma into a stronger trade gateway between the Indian Ocean and the Great Lakes region.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan laid the foundation stone for the Tabora–Kigoma section of Tanzania's Standard Gauge Railway on July 20, 2026. During the same event in Kigoma, she also launched four new cargo vessels and expansion works at Kigoma Port on Lake Tanganyika.
Together, the projects are intended to create a faster transport chain linking Dar es Salaam with western Tanzania, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi.
The main project is the 506-kilometre Tabora–Kigoma SGR, also known as Lot Six of Tanzania's modern railway network.
Tanzania Railways Corporation says the section includes 411 kilometres of main railway line and 95 kilometres of passing loops and sidings. It will also have 10 passenger stations and two major freight terminals at Uvinza and Katosho.
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The Citizen reported the value of the rail project at Sh6.31 trillion during the July 20 launch. When the construction contract was signed in December 2022, TRC valued it at $2.21 billion, then equivalent to Sh5.12 trillion.
The railway is being built by a joint venture between China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and China Railway Construction Corporation.
Construction has passed 10 percent, according to figures reported at the launch, and completion is now scheduled for 2030. This means the ceremony marked the formal launch of the project in Kigoma, not the opening of a completed railway service.
Four cargo vessels added to Lake Tanganyika
President Samia also launched four cargo vessels intended to increase the movement of goods across Lake Tanganyika.
Each vessel can carry 2,000 tonnes per trip, giving the four vessels a combined capacity of 8,000 tonnes when operating at the same time. Each is about 70 metres long and 15 metres wide.
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The vessels were built by Golden Logistics Company Limited. Tanzania Ports Authority Director General Plasduce Mbossa said the government has also reached an agreement with Zijin Mining Group to support the movement of cargo from the DRC through Kigoma.
The additional ships are expected to double the number of large cargo vessels operating on the lake from four to eight. Tanzania also plans to add two more vessels, while a contractor is being secured for another ship capable of carrying 3,000 tonnes.
Kigoma Port is being expanded
The rail and vessel projects depend on Kigoma Port being able to receive larger ships and handle more cargo.
Expansion work includes the rehabilitation of the port's 310-metre cargo quay. Work is underway on a 190-metre section while the remaining 120 metres stays open to avoid stopping current operations.
The project will deepen the port from 3.5 metres to six metres, allowing larger vessels to dock more safely. Tanzania is also constructing a new 170-metre passenger terminal with capacity for 400 people at a time, compared with the current limit of about 40.
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Once the work is completed, Kigoma Port's annual cargo-handling capacity is expected to rise from 800,000 tonnes to two million tonnes. The port project is scheduled for completion in 2027.
How the new trade corridor will work
The strategy is to connect rail, port and lake transport into one route.
Cargo arriving at Dar es Salaam Port will be moved inland by SGR through Morogoro, Dodoma and Tabora to Kigoma. At Kigoma Port, goods can be transferred to vessels for delivery across Lake Tanganyika to the DRC, Burundi and other markets around the lake.
In the opposite direction, minerals and other exports from eastern DRC could cross the lake from Kalemie to Kigoma, continue by rail to Dar es Salaam and then reach international markets by sea.
TPA said Zijin Mining also plans to support facilities at Kigoma Port and the development of a roughly 500-kilometre road connecting the mineral-rich Manono area to Kalemie Port in the DRC.
That connection could give producers in eastern DRC another route to global markets instead of relying mainly on longer overland corridors.
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