On 20 July 2026, the Central Corridor reached another important milestone today as H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, inaugurated a series of transformative transport infrastructure projects in Kigoma that are set to reshape trade and connectivity across the region.
The events, attended by the Central Corridor representativesand key stakeholders, included the laying of the foundation stone for the Tabora–Kigoma Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), the commissioning of four new cargo vessels on Lake Tanganyika, and the continued modernization of Kigoma Port. Together, these investments reaffirm Tanzania’s commitment to strengthening the Central Corridor as one of Africa’s most strategic trade and logistics gateways.
The 506-kilometre Tabora–Kigoma Standard Gauge Railway is more than just another railway project—it is the missing link that will connect the Port of Dar es Salaam directly to the shores of Lake Tanganyika through a modern, high-capacity rail system. Once completed, the line is expected to cut travel time between Dar es Salaam and Kigoma by more than half, making freight movement faster, more reliable and more cost-effective.
Beyond Tanzania, the railway also lays the groundwork for future regional connections to Burundi and Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, bringing the vision of a fully integrated Central Corridor rail network closer to reality.
Equally significant was the commissioning of four modern cargo vessels, each capable of transporting 2,000 tonnes of cargo across Lake Tanganyika. These vessels will substantially improve freight movement between Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi and Zambia while strengthening the lake’s role as a vital trade corridor.
Working hand in hand with the Standard Gauge Railway and the Port of Dar es Salaam, the vessels will create an integrated rail-and-lake logistics system that offers businesses a faster, more efficient route to regional and global markets. They will also support the growing movement of minerals, agricultural products and manufactured goods, helping unlock new economic opportunities throughout the region.
The ongoing modernization of Kigoma Port is another critical piece of this transformation. With upgraded cargo handling facilities, improved passenger infrastructure, dredging works and seamless integration with the Standard Gauge Railway, the port is being developed into a modern multimodal logistics hub capable of serving the growing transport and trade needs of the Lake Tanganyika region.
Taken together, these three investments represent far more than individual infrastructure projects. They demonstrate a coordinated approach to building an efficient multimodal transport system where rail, ports and inland waterways work together to move cargo seamlessly across borders.
For businesses, this means shorter transit times, lower logistics costs and more reliable supply chains. For the region, it means stronger trade, increased investment, greater industrial development and new employment opportunities. Most importantly, it reinforces the Central Corridor’s position as the preferred gateway connecting the economies of Tanzania, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia and the wider Great Lakes Region to international markets.
As these strategic investments continue to take shape, they move the Central Corridor one step closer to its vision of a smarter, better connected and more competitive transport network that drives sustainable economic growth and regional prosperity.