The President of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, and the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Kassim Majaliwa, together laid the foundation stone for the construction of the SGR section from Uvinza to Musongati in a ceremony held in Musongati, Rutana Province, Burundi, on 16 August 2025.
The construction of the Uvinza–Musongati SGR section aims to connect Tanzania and Burundi both politically and economically, while stimulating growth in the transport and logistics sector through rail and the Port of Dar es Salaam.
Speaking during the foundation stone ceremony, the President of Burundi, H.E. Ndayishimiye, said that he believed in the unity between Tanzania and Burundi and that through the construction of the SGR, relations would be greatly strengthened.
“Today is a historic day in Burundi. The faces of Burundians are filled with joy as people celebrate this development. Burundi has now decided to take a step forward by developing the transport sector, which will stimulate growth and strengthen the economy,” said H.E. Ndayishimiye.
For his part, the Prime Minister, H.E. Kassim Majaliwa, commended both the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and that of Burundi for laying a strong strategic foundation by deciding to build the SGR, which will boost the economies of both countries.
H.E. Majaliwa added that the Uvinza–Musongati SGR project, with a total length of 300 kilometres – 240 kilometres of main line and 60 kilometres of passing loops – will take 72 months to complete and will create around 5,000 direct jobs through the contractor.
In addition, the Minister for Transport, H.E. Professor Makame Mbarawa, said that the completion of the Uvinza–Musongati SGR section will reduce freight transport costs from the Port of Dar es Salaam to Burundi from USD 3,800 per 20-foot container to USD 2,000 once the project is finished. He further noted that the SGR will enable bulk transport, increasing capacity from the current 30 tonnes (one lorry) to 3,800 tonnes in a single consignment.
The construction of the SGR underscores the agenda of African nations to build strong and reliable infrastructure to connect the continent.
