The Governments of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo have reaffirmed their strong commitment to advancing regional integration and trade through the development of modern and efficient transport infrastructure.

This renewed commitment was underscored during the 2nd High-Level Steering Committee Meeting on the implementation of the Transport Infrastructure Development Program aimed at strengthening trade between the two countries. The meeting was held in Kigoma on 18 March 2026, following the Joint Technical Experts Meeting.

Deliberations during the session highlighted significant progress across key sectors, reflecting the shared determination of both Governments to enhance connectivity and facilitate trade. Notable advancements were reported in:

  1. Development of dry ports to improve cargo handling and decongestion;
  2. Expansion and modernization of rail infrastructure to support efficient freight movement;
  3. Strengthening of maritime transport along Lake Tanganyika;
  4. Improvement of road networks to enhance cross-border connectivity; and
  5. Promotion of air transport linkages to support mobility and logistics.

 

The Steering Committee also provided a platform to address critical challenges affecting project implementation. Participants endorsed a set of strategic actions aimed at accelerating progress, strengthening bilateral partnerships, and enhancing coordination mechanisms between the two countries.

 

The Central Corridor continues to play a pivotal role in facilitating this collaboration, supporting both Governments in advancing a shared vision of efficient, seamless, and interconnected transport systems. These efforts are expected to significantly reduce logistics costs, improve transit times, and stimulate economic growth across the region.

 

The meeting concluded with site visits to the Port of Kigoma and Kigoma Airport, where delegates assessed firsthand the progress of ongoing infrastructure development projects. The visits provided valuable insights into the strategic importance of these facilities in enhancing multimodal connectivity along the Central Corridor and within the Lake Tanganyika region.