The Tanzania–Burundi Standard Gauge Railway is a planned electrified railway line connecting the Tanzanian Standard Gauge Railway with the planned railway network of Burundi. It will link the town of Uvinza in western Tanzania to the capital of Burundi, Gitega, via the border town of Musongati. Through the Tanzanian railway network, the planned line will provide Burundi with a rail link to the Indian Ocean. The project is the first phase of the proposed Tanzania–Burundi–DR Congo Standard Gauge Railway.
Overview
In January 2022, the governments of Tanzania and Burundi signed a Memorandum of Understanding, in which they agreed to the construction of a standard gauge (1435 mm or 4 ft 81⁄2 in) railway line between the two countries. Initially, costs were estimated at US$900 million. The planned railway line is an extension of Tanzania's Standard Gauge Railway and is aimed at reducing transportation cost and increasing regional economic integration. Tanzania's finance ministry expects more than a million yearly tonnes of cargo to be transported between the two countries, and more than 3 million tonnes of minerals each year to be ferried from Burundi to Tanzania. It would be only the second transnational electrified railway on the African continent. The timeline for the completion of the project is five years.
In August 2022, the Tanzanian government invited bids for the design and construction of the Uvinza-Gitega (Tanzania-Burundi) Standard Gauge (SGR) line. The Tanzania Railway Corporation is managing procurement for the governments of both countries, though Burundi's ARTF will be involved in supervision of the construction. Bidding closes on November 15, 2023.
The line will span approximately 367 kilometres, featuring 282 kilometres of main railway line and 85 kilometres of siding and passing loops. It will be built based on AREMA and UIC standards.
Location
The railway line will connect to the Tanzanian standard gauge network at the town of Uvinza. From there, it runs in a general northwesterly direction along the Malagarasi river across the international border to the town of Musongati and onwards to the Burundian capital Gitega.
Phases
The project is divided in two lots, of which the second lot is to be completed in two phases.
Lot 1
Uvinza–Malagarasi
This section of 156 kilometres will be built by Tanzania. In total, 180 kilometres of railway infrastructure will be built on this section. Costs for this section are estimated at US$959.4 million.
Lot 2
Malagarasi–Gitega
This section will be built by Burundi and is to be completed in two phases. Phase A stretches from Malagarasi to Musongati for a distance of 80 kilometres. At the border, a 600 metre multimodal bridge will be built, accommodating both cars and trains. Phase B runs for 46 kilometres from Musongati to Gitega. In total, 187 kilometres of railway infrastructure will be built on the section. The cost for this section is expected to be US$1442.7 million.
Funding
The Burundian and Tanzanian governments have applied for financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB). The AfDB has expressed interest in financing the project.
Both governments have already set aside funds for the construction of the railway line.
Supporting Tanzania's SGR ambitions, the AfDB has pledged US$3.05 billion towards the SGR link Tabora–Kigoma and lot 1 of the Tanzania–Burundi SGR.