Kigoma. President Hassan has launched the construction of the sixth lot of Tanzania’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project, linking Tabora and Kigoma, in a move expected to improve transport connectivity and stimulate economic activities in the western regions.
The Sh7.5 trillion project covers 506 kilometres and comprises the Tabora-Kigoma and Uvinza-Msongati sections, with completion scheduled for 2030.
President Hassan launched the project on Monday in Kigoma Region by laying the foundation stone, marking the start of construction of one of the country’s major railway expansion projects.
The railway is expected to reduce travel time between Dar es Salaam and Kigoma from more than 20 hours to about eight hours, while opening up new business opportunities along the western corridor.
Construction of the project has reached more than 10 per cent, with the railway expected to create about 15,000 jobs for residents of Kigoma and Tabora.
The SGR extension is also expected to boost trade by connecting Kigoma with the Port of Dar es Salaam and neighbouring countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.
The project is part of the government’s wider plan to expand the railway network and improve passenger and cargo transportation across the country.
