On 31 March 2026, the Republic of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the United Republic of Tanzania convened a high-level Tripartite Ministerial Meeting in Kinshasa to review progress on the feasibility and preliminary engineering studies for the Gitega–Bujumbura–Uvira–Kindu Electrified Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Project.
The meeting was held at the invitation of H.E. Jean Pierre Bemba Gombo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It brought together Ministers of Transport from the three countries, Ambassadors, the Governor of Maniema Province, senior government officials, and representatives of the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA). Technical experts and the consultant leading the feasibility and engineering studies were also in attendance.
The Ministers expressed strong satisfaction with the progress achieved to date and commended the quality of work undertaken. They reaffirmed their collective commitment to advancing this transformative regional infrastructure project, which is expected to significantly enhance connectivity between the three countries and strengthen trade and economic integration across the Central Corridor.
During the meeting, key technical study reports were reviewed and endorsed, marking an important milestone in the project’s development. The Ministers further directed the consultants to expedite the remaining work and ensure the timely submission of the final study report, including a preliminary project outline in accordance with the roadmap.
The Central Corridor continues to play a central coordinating role in this strategic initiative, working closely with Partner States and stakeholders to advance efficient, reliable, and sustainable transport systems that facilitate seamless trade across the region.