Musongati, Burundi – August 16, 2025
The Executive Secretary of the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA) joined regional leaders and partners in celebrating a historic milestone with the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the construction of the 300km Standard Gauge Electrified Railway (SGR) from Uvinza in Tanzania to Musongati in Burundi.
The ceremony was graced by H.E. Major General Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, alongside Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa, Prime Minister of Tanzania, representing H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania. The project is financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) with an investment of USD 2.54 billion.
This project marks a historic first for Burundi, as the Uvinza–Musongati SGR will be the country’s first-ever railway line, signaling a transformative shift in its transport infrastructure and regional trade integration.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of CCTTFA underscored that the Uvinza–Musongati SGR represents a tangible step towards realizing the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and advancing PIDA priorities under the African Integrated High-Speed Railway Network (AIHSRN).
He reflected on the pivotal role of the Central Corridor throughout the preparatory stages, which involved facilitating tripartite and bilateral agreements, mobilizing resources from governments and development partners, coordinating technical standards for cross-border interoperability, and engaging stakeholders to ensure inclusive benefits and sustainable ownership of the project.
Looking ahead, the Executive Secretary called for sustained commitment in advancing the subsequent phases of the regional railway network, particularly the Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) sections. Feasibility studies for the Gitega–Bujumbura/Uvira–Kindu section are currently underway, marking the next critical steps toward enhanced regional connectivity and trade facilitation.