Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – President Samia Suluhu Hassan has unveiled a bold plan to integrate Tanzania’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) with the upgraded Kigoma Port on Lake Tanganyika, a move she says will unlock unprecedented trade opportunities for western Tanzania and the wider Great Lakes region.
The initiative, which forms part of Tanzania’s multibillion-dollar SGR expansion programme, is anchored on the 506-kilometre Tabora–Kigoma section currently under construction by Chinese contractors CCECC and CRCC. Once complete, the line will directly connect Kigoma Port to Dar es Salaam, enabling seamless cargo movement between the Indian Ocean coast and inland waterways serving the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, and beyond.
“Kigoma has for decades been an economic gateway waiting to be fully utilised. By linking the SGR with Kigoma Port, we are not only transforming regional trade routes but also creating an engine for investment, jobs and prosperity for our people,” President Samia said during her announcement.
Port Modernisation Underway
Kigoma Port, strategically located on Lake Tanganyika, is undergoing major upgrades designed to boost capacity, efficiency, and safety. The works include rehabilitating berths, modernising cargo handling equipment, expanding storage facilities, and integrating digital port management systems.
In addition, the government is advancing complementary projects such as the development of Karema Port, while undertaking feasibility studies for further facilities along Lake Tanganyika. Together, these investments aim to turn Kigoma into a logistics hub capable of handling larger cargo volumes destined for and originating from landlocked neighbours.
Broader Infrastructure Push
The port-rail integration is being supported by road expansion and electrification programmes across the Kigoma region. New highways and rehabilitated roads will ensure first-mile and last-mile connectivity for businesses, while the extension of the national electricity grid to Kigoma is expected to sustain industrial growth and port operations.
“Transport infrastructure cannot succeed in isolation. Reliable power, better roads and strong supporting services are all part of our holistic approach to development in Kigoma,” President Samia stressed.
Regional Trade and Economic Impact
The integration of the SGR with Kigoma Port is expected to cut transport costs and reduce transit times for goods moving between eastern DRC, Burundi, and the Indian Ocean. Current road and lake transport corridors are often slow, costly and vulnerable to inefficiencies. The SGR is projected to ease congestion, improve reliability, and stimulate cross-border trade.
Economists note that the move could make Tanzania a preferred trade gateway for the Great Lakes region, challenging alternative corridors such as those through Kenya and Zambia. Kigoma’s enhanced role is also expected to create jobs, attract investment in logistics and processing industries, and improve the competitiveness of Tanzanian exports.
Financing and Execution Challenges
While the vision is ambitious, analysts caution that execution risks remain. The Tabora–Kigoma SGR section alone carries a price tag of more than USD 2.2 billion, financed through external borrowing. Ensuring timely completion, efficient integration with port facilities, and cross-border coordination with DRC and Burundi will be crucial to delivering the expected benefits.
“Large infrastructure projects of this scale often face challenges in financing, timelines, and coordination. However, if Tanzania delivers, the economic multiplier effect for the Great Lakes will be significant,” said a regional trade expert based in Dar es Salaam.
Tanzania’s Regional Strategy
The unveiling of the Kigoma integration plan reinforces Tanzania’s broader strategy of positioning itself as a regional transport and trade hub. With the SGR extending from Dar es Salaam inland to Mwanza, Dodoma, Tabora and Kigoma, and with simultaneous investments in ports and roads, the country is laying the groundwork for long-term economic transformation.
President Samia’s administration has framed these projects not only as drivers of national growth but also as tools for deepening regional integration and cooperation. With Lake Tanganyika serving as a natural gateway to central Africa, Kigoma may soon emerge as one of the most critical logistics nodes on the continent.
Outlook: If the Tabora–Kigoma SGR is completed by its scheduled 2026 deadline, Tanzania could dramatically reshape trade dynamics in central and eastern Africa, with Kigoma at the heart of this new regional economy.
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