A US$2.15 billion contract was signed to construct an electrified railway from Uvinza, Tanzania, to Musongati, Burundi. This railway, the first main line in Burundi, will facilitate the export of various minerals to Tanzania’s port. The project is supported financially by the African Development Bank and underscores regional collaboration between Tanzania and Burundi.
A contract worth US$2.15 billion was awarded for the construction of the first electrified railway in Burundi, linking Uvinza in Tanzania to Musongati in Burundi. This project signifies a major advancement in infrastructure for the landlocked East African nation and aims to facilitate the export of minerals such as nickel, platinum, palladium, copper, gold, and iron to the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam.
The agreement was signed between both Tanzanian and Burundian government officials, along with representatives from China Railway Engineering Group and China Railway Engineering Design & Consulting Group. The African Development Bank is providing funding through a concessional loan, marking a significant milestone in the Bank’s involvement in Tanzanian railway financing, as noted by Tanzania’s Finance Minister Mwigulu Nchemba.
The railway line will be developed in two sections: the Tanzanian segment will extend approximately 120 kilometers from Uvinza to the border at the Malagarasi River, which will include a 1 km combined road-rail bridge. The Burundian portion will then continue northward to reach Musongati. A memorandum of understanding for the project was initially signed in January 2022, highlighting collaboration between the two nations.
This development follows the Tanzanian government’s earlier agreement in December 2022 for a US$2.2 billion contract with Chinese firms to construct the 411 km Tabora-Uvinza-Kigoma railway line, which is part of a broader effort to enhance transportation infrastructure across the region.
The successful signing of a significant contract for the construction of Burundi’s first railway marks a pivotal moment for both Burundi and Tanzania as they enhance their transport capabilities. Funded by the African Development Bank, the project is expected to significantly boost mineral exports while demonstrating collaborative efforts in regional development and infrastructure enhancement.
Original Source: www.railwaygazette.com
