Cornerstone of AfCFTA - Cross Border Railways

Tanzania's ambitious Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project represents a transformative infrastructure initiative aimed at revitalizing regional connectivity. Centred on the Central Corridor, the electrified 1,435 mm (track width) standard gauge network starts at the bustling port of Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean and extends inland through phases reaching Mwanza on Lake Victoria, with cross-border extensions to Kigali in Rwanda, Musongati in Burundi, and further links toward the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

This modern railway replaces outdated meter-gauge lines, promising to slash transport times and costs dramatically for goods and passengers. It will provide vital access to global markets for landlocked neighbours, boosting trade in minerals, agriculture, and other commodities while fostering economic integration across East and Central Africa.

With significant financing from partners like the African Development Bank (USD 3.9bn) and construction contracts exceeding billions of dollars, the project (partially operational) enhances competitiveness, stimulates tourism, and positions Tanzania as a regional logistics hub. Upon full completion of over 2,000 km, it will drive sustainable development, job creation, and prosperity for millions in the region.

In West-Central Africa, the Lobito Corridor in Angola revitalizes the Benguela Railway, connecting mineral - rich DRC and Zambia to the Atlantic port of Lobito. Backed by international partnerships, it offers an efficient alternative route for copper and other commodities, promoting intra-regional trade.

East Africa’s network builds on Kenya’s Mombasa - Nairobi SGR, with ongoing extensions toward Uganda, Rwanda, and beyond under the East African Railway Master Plan. These projects, alongside rehabilitations like TAZARA (Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority), address historical infrastructure gaps.

Collectively, these developments comprising thousands of kilometres of railway since 2015 promise lower logistics costs, job creation, and deeper economic integration, positioning rail as the cornerstone for AfCFTA’s vision of a unified African market.