Samia unveils plan to integrate SGR with Kigoma Port

Kigoma. CCM presidential candidate Samia Suluhu Hassan has unveiled a bold plan to integrate the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) with an upgraded Kigoma Port, positioning the lakeside region as a major trade hub for Tanzania and its neighbours.

The initiative, a centrepiece of her re-election campaign for the October 2025 general election, seeks to revolutionise cargo handling on Lakes Tanganyika and Victoria, spur economic growth, and strengthen regional connectivity.

Addressing thousands of supporters in Kigoma Urban on Sunday, September 14, 2025, President Hassan highlighted the strategic importance of aligning the SGR with maritime infrastructure to unlock the region’s potential.

“We are building four ships at Kalema Port to serve Tanzania and neighbouring countries,” she said.

“Three contracts have been signed for a shipyard in Katabe, with two cargo vessels for Lake Tanganyika and two for Lake Victoria, each with a 3,500-tonne capacity.”

According to her, these vessels will receive goods transported by SGR from Tanzania’s coastal and inland ports, or from neighbouring countries such as Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia, before distributing them to domestic ports.

The president said this rail-port synergy would cut logistics costs, improve trade efficiency, and make Kigoma a linchpin in East and Central Africa’s trade network.

The Kigoma Port upgrade, outlined in CCM’s 2025–2030 manifesto, is a key component of the plan. Linking the port to the SGR’s Tabora–Kigoma section, which is due for completion in 2026, will enable faster cargo movement from the interior to international markets.

“This will attract investments in industrial zones, particularly in agro-processing, given Kigoma’s potential in palm oil production,” said President Hassan, who pledged subsidies for over one million palm oil seedlings to boost exports.

The rally was marked by the defection of economist and former ACT regional coordinator Said Rashid, who praised Hassan’s leadership for delivering “tangible results” in a short period.

“I have decided to join a party that is institutionally run and driven by results,” Rashid told the crowd.

“As an economist, I value impact—and President Hassan has proven that with major achievements such as the SGR and port projects. I am not alone; many others are ready to follow this path.”

CCM Secretary for Ideology, Publicity, and Training Kenan Kihongosi confirmed that over 200 supporters allied with Rashid would formally join the party.

Beyond the port-SGR plan, President Hassan spoke about complementary infrastructure projects supporting the region’s economic transformation.

She noted that the 49.5-megawatt Malagarasi hydropower project had brought electricity to all villages, with work continuing to connect suburbs and ensure reliable power for port operations and industries.

“All villages now have electricity, and we are working on the suburbs,” she said.

On compensation for communities affected by infrastructure projects, such as the Kigoma Airport expansion, Hassan reassured residents that thorough assessments were under way and that all eligible claims—amounting to Sh8 billion—would be honoured.

CCM’s Kigoma Urban parliamentary candidate, Clayton Chiponda (popularly known as Baba Levo), reinforced the president’s message, celebrating achievements such as 95 per cent water access in urban wards and Sh7 trillion worth of development projects.

He urged action to address dusty roads, upgrades for four evening markets—primarily run by women vendors—and the construction of a new market at Kibirizi to support small traders who stand to benefit from increased port activity.

To empower local entrepreneurs, President Hassan announced a Sh200 billion fund to provide capital for small-scale businesses, enabling them to leverage economic opportunities created by the port and SGR projects.

“We are ensuring quality health services, education for children, reliable power, and access to clean water,” she said, presenting a vision of holistic development anchored by strategic infrastructure.

The Kigoma Port–SGR integration forms part of CCM’s broader strategy to position Tanzania as a regional logistics hub.