Lipstick on a pig: Tazara’s SGR solution misses the point

What you need to know:

The decision to fix Tazara is admirable, but without addressing the fundamental issues, the new network will be subject to the same harmful forces that have made Tazara what it is today.

In 2014, for example, when Dar handled 1.8 million tonnes of goods bound for Zambia, Tazara transported less than 10 percent of the freight despite having an unrivalled cost advantage. In Morogoro, residents of the agricultural areas of Kilombero, Ifakara, and Mlimba have been heavily dependent on Tazara from the beginning for lack of solid alternatives. However, Tazara has struggled to capitalise on that opportunity. For example, when Ifakara welcomes hundreds of people daily nowadays in the town with over 200 guest houses, at least a dozen buses arrive from Dar alone every day. When Tazara journeys frequently take twice as long as expected due to technical faults and fuel shortages, and when toilets are dirty and lack basic amenities, even railroad enthusiasts will be pushed to competitors.

Lipstick on a pig: Tazara’s SGR solution misses the point

What you need to know:

Latest

Refineries, ports and the future of East African integration – IV

Tanzania’s CRDB and NMB named among Forbes’ World’s top performing banks 2026

Tanzania’s universities urged to lead the fight against plastic waste

Road accident victims face compensation hurdles as calls grow for faster relief in Tanzania

How Tanzania plans to bring down cement prices as TRA targets tax exemption abuse

Key lessons from 2025 election must boost democracy

In the headlines

Tanzania’s CRDB and NMB named among Forbes’ World’s top performing banks 2026

How Tanzania plans to bring down cement prices as TRA targets tax exemption abuse

Road accident victims face compensation hurdles as calls grow for faster relief in Tanzania

Key lessons from 2025 election must boost democracy

What you need to know:

Refineries, ports and the future of East African integration – IV

The economic benefits of cataract surgery

Refineries, ports and the future of East African integration – IV

Tanzania’s CRDB and NMB named among Forbes’ World’s top performing banks 2026

Tanzania’s universities urged to lead the fight against plastic waste

Road accident victims face compensation hurdles as calls grow for faster relief in Tanzania

How Tanzania plans to bring down cement prices as TRA targets tax exemption abuse

Key lessons from 2025 election must boost democracy

Tanzania’s CRDB and NMB named among Forbes’ World’s top performing banks 2026

How Tanzania plans to bring down cement prices as TRA targets tax exemption abuse

Road accident victims face compensation hurdles as calls grow for faster relief in Tanzania

Key lessons from 2025 election must boost democracy