To upgrade the 188-kilometre metre-gauge railway linking Tanga and Ruvu Junction, the Tanzanian government has acquired equipment valued at 56.2m US dollars, as revealed during a parliamentary statement.
Parliamentary Announcement in Dodoma
Deputy Minister for Transport David Kihenzile announced the development in Parliament in Dodoma on Tuesday. Responding to an additional inquiry posed by Tanga Urban MP Kassimu Mbaraka during the parliamentary question-and-answer period, Kihenzile provided these specifics.
Mbaraka had originally asked about government plans to improve the metre-gauge railway line running from the Port of Tanga towards the Kilimanjaro and Arusha regions. The inquiry aimed to address strategies for increasing the volume of cargo transported through the port.
Financial Year and Future Extensions
According to Kihenzile, the administration acquired the equipment during the 2025/2026 financial year to directly support rehabilitation works on the 188-kilometre section situated between Tanga and Ruvu Junction. The initiative forms a core part of broader efforts to improve rail transport infrastructure in the country.
Following the rehabilitation works, the next operational phase will involve preparations to extend the railway towards the Kilimanjaro and Arusha regions. This subsequent expansion aims to improve both passenger and cargo transport while concurrently enhancing the overall efficiency and operational capacity of the Port of Tanga.
Support for AFCON Visitors
Kihenzile noted that the rail network improvements carry additional strategic value for upcoming international events. Specifically, the rehabilitation and subsequent line extensions will support the transportation of visitors arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The upgraded infrastructure will enable these international visitors to travel seamlessly by rail directly to Arusha. The project serves to lay the necessary groundwork for these regional connectivity goals while simultaneously modernizing Tanzania’s vital transportation corridors.
