editor
President Samia Suluhu Hassan today marked a historic milestone by launching cargo operations on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), inaugurating the Kwala Dry Port, and laying the foundation stone for the Kwala Industrial Park.
These projects highlight Tanzania’s commitment to transforming its transport infrastructure and positioning itself as the regional logistics and trade nexus for East Africa and Central Africa.
At the ceremony in Kibaha District, President Samia emphasized that these infrastructure milestones go beyond just building physical assets. “This is about creating jobs, empowering our youth, modernizing the economy, and strengthening Tanzania’s role as a gateway for trade across the region,” she said.
The SGR railway links Tanzania’s major port city, Dar es Salaam, to key inland hubs like Dodoma and Morogoro, facilitating faster, more reliable freight movement. Eventually, this network will extend further to serve neighbouring countries such as Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo through the Central Corridor trade route.
Boosting Efficiency Through Modern Logistics
The new Kwala Dry Port — located about 60 kilometers from Dar es Salaam — is designed to ease congestion at Tanzania’s main seaport by handling approximately 30% of container traffic. This facility can manage around 300,000 containers annually, accelerating clearance times and reducing the number of heavy trucks on city roads. According to the government, one fully loaded SGR cargo train can remove up to 600 trucks from highways, significantly reducing traffic jams, road wear, and carbon emissions.
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President Samia urged the Ministry of Transport and the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) to recruit innovative professionals capable of maximizing the potential of this infrastructure. She also called on local and international businesses to actively use rail freight services, praising early adopters in telecommunications and consumer goods sectors for shifting their logistics to SGR.
“This is not just infrastructure for show — it must translate into real economic gains for Tanzanians and regional partners alike,” she said.
National and Regional Impact
Former President Jakaya Kikwete praised the progress under President Samia’s leadership, noting visible benefits like rising land values, increased investor interest, and new employment opportunities — especially for young people in the Pwani Region.
Analysts view these developments as crucial to Tanzania’s industrialisation drive and its ambition to compete on a global scale. The enhanced connectivity promises to improve trade efficiency across the East African Community (EAC) and the broader Southern African Development Community (SADC) regions.
Government plans also include substantial budget allocations — approximately Tsh 2.75 trillion in 2025/26 — for further upgrades to the SGR network, dry ports, and related infrastructure such as airports and highways.
