TANZANIA’S standard gauge railway (SGR) electric train service has transported over 1 million passengers between Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, and Dodoma in just four months since its launch, according to the Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC). The milestone marks a significant achievement, doubling the annual passenger numbers recorded by the older meter gauge railway (MGR) on the same routes.
Fredy Mwanjala, head of TRC’s communications unit, shared the figures during a briefing to the parliamentary standing committee on public investments. The impressive uptake highlights the transformative potential of the SGR project, launched by President Samia Suluhu Hassan on 1 August, following trial commercial operations in July.
A game-changer for Tanzania
The SGR project, set to span 1,596 km from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, is a major step forward in modernising Tanzania’s transport infrastructure. The advanced electric train system promises to cut travel times significantly and enhance economic connectivity, not just within Tanzania but across the East African region.
TRC director-general Masanja Kadogosa noted that the SGR’s efficiency and speed are reshaping how people and goods move across the country. ‘This railway is a backbone for regional development. It will revolutionise trade and travel,’ Kadogosa said during the briefing.
Boosting capacity and economic potential
To further enhance the SGR’s cargo-handling capabilities, the TRC is preparing to receive 264 cargo wagons in December, produced by China’s CRRC Qiqihar Rolling Stock Co., Ltd. This delivery includes 200 wagons for containers and 64 for loose cargo and is part of a broader order of 1,430 wagons. These additions aim to strengthen Tanzania’s logistics capacity, reinforcing its position as a regional trade hub.
Kadogosa emphasised that the rail system’s capacity to move goods efficiently will have a multiplier effect on Tanzania’s economy, reducing costs and facilitating trade within and beyond its borders.
Economic and social impact
The launch of the SGR is widely seen as a landmark achievement for President Hassan’s administration. By providing faster, more reliable, and sustainable transport options, the railway enhances access to markets, education, and healthcare for millions of Tanzanians.
The success of the SGR electric trains also highlights the growing demand for modern transportation infrastructure in Africa, as countries seek to meet the challenges of urbanisation, trade expansion, and regional integration.
With passenger numbers already surpassing expectations and the upcoming expansion of cargo services, the SGR project is poised to redefine Tanzania’s transportation landscape, paving the way for sustained economic growth and development.
