Tanzania Railways Corporation and Arab Contractors Sign MoU for Mtwara–Songea–Mbamba Bay Railway Studies

TRC says the memorandum lays the groundwork for joint studies and for technical and financial proposals, with Arab Contractors carrying out the studies at its own cost over an initial three months, a further nine months for the feasibility study and a further nine months for a project proposal meeting financing criteria.

Minister of Transport Professor Makame Mbarawa said the railway is to connect Mtwara port with agricultural, mining and industrial areas, and called for a work plan with clear responsibilities and timelines, realistic studies and the involvement of Tanzanian institutions and experts.

• TRC and Arab Contractors signed a memorandum of understanding in Dar es Salaam on 16 October 2026 for a railway linking Mtwara, Songea and Mbamba Bay.
• The railway includes branches to the Mchuchuma and Liganga projects.
• Arab Contractors, an Egyptian company, is to carry out preliminary studies at its own cost and submit an initial report within three months.
• A detailed feasibility study is to follow within nine months, and a project proposal meeting financing criteria within a further nine months.
• TRC is to provide technical support and coordinate the relevant institutions.

Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) and Arab Contractors, an Egyptian company, signed a memorandum of understanding in Dar es Salaam on 16 October 2026 for a railway linking Mtwara, Songea and Mbamba Bay, including branch lines to Mchuchuma and Liganga.

The signing was witnessed by Minister of Transport Professor Makame Mbarawa.

Under the timetable set out by TRC, Arab Contractors is to carry out preliminary studies at its own cost and submit an initial report within three months. A detailed feasibility study is to follow within nine months, and a project proposal meeting financing criteria within a further nine months. TRC is to provide technical support and coordinate the relevant institutions.

Engineer Machibya Shiwa, Director General of TRC, said the memorandum lays the groundwork for joint studies and for technical and financial proposals. He said TRC will coordinate institutions, review the studies and ensure value for money.

Professor Mbarawa said the railway is to connect Mtwara port with agricultural, mining and industrial areas. He described the memorandum as a preparatory step, with studies to assess transport needs, costs, economic benefits and possible funding, and urged a work plan with clear responsibilities and timelines, realistic studies and the involvement of Tanzanian institutions and experts.