Tanzania completes initial designs for 1,000-kilometre Mtwara – Mbamba Bay railway line

Deputy Minister for Transport, David Kihenzile, revealed the update in response to a question from Special Seats MP, Agnes Hokororo (CCM), who had inquired about the timeline for the commencement of the much-anticipated southern railway.

In his response, Mr Kihenzile said that the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) has concluded both the feasibility study and the preliminary design for the project.

“The government is now in the process of identifying an investor to develop the railway to Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) specifications, through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement,” he said.

The Deputy Minister urged both the public and lawmakers to remain patient as the government finalises preparations for the large-scale infrastructure project.

In a supplementary question, MP Hokororo underscored the railway’s potential economic impact and proposed that the government finance the construction directly while inviting private sector participation in its operations. She argued that this approach would help avert delays often associated with the PPP model.

Mr Kihenzile welcomed the suggestion and acknowledged the value of parliamentary input in shaping government policy.

Speaking on the railway’s economic significance, the Deputy Minister highlighted the abundant natural resources in the southern regions that the railway will serve, including more than 426 million tonnes of coal and key minerals such as vanadium, titanium and lithium.

He also pointed to the large quantities of cement at Dangote’s site, and the potential of the railway to enhance utilisation of both the Mtwara and Mbambabay ports, which have already received substantial government investment.

“This railway will help reduce the export of products that could be produced domestically, such as steel, while also improving transport efficiency, thereby strengthening the national economy,” said Mr Kihenzile.

He further cited the ongoing rehabilitation of vital port infrastructure, including the Sh80 billion Mbambabay Port, the Sh157 billion Mtwara Port, and the Sh435 billion Kisiwa Mgao Port Project.

In preparation for the railway’s development, more than 1,000 residents from the Liganga and Mchuchuma areas have already been compensated.

Mr Kihenzile also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the railway sector: “The government has already embarked on constructing the central railway line from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza and Kigoma, connecting neighbouring countries.”

“This $12 billion initiative underscores our dedication to railway development, particularly through the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR),” he added.

He concluded by assuring Members of Parliament that the southern railway would be developed soon as part of the government’s broader agenda to transform the country’s transport infrastructure.

In response to a separate question from Neema Mgaya (Special Seats MP – CCM), who asked whether Tazara wagons could be converted into cold storage units for horticultural exports, Mr Kihenzile confirmed that the proposal was under consideration.

“The rehabilitation plan includes exploring the feasibility of incorporating cold storage facilities along the route from Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia to Dar es Salaam, which would benefit the horticultural sector,” he said.

Musoma Urban MP, Vedastus Manyinyi (CCM), also raised concerns about the revised route of the Tanga–Arusha–Musoma railway, and asked when construction would begin.

In response, Mr Kihenzile reassured him that the broader plan to link Tanga with the northern regions and eventually with Lake Tanganyika remained intact.

He explained that the adjustments to the route were informed by economic priorities, including access to key mineral projects such as the Engaruka soda ash reserves and the Dutwa nickel deposit. He added that the project would proceed following the completion of the necessary design phases.