The first SGR electric train from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma was launched on July 25, 2024, with over 1,000 passengers onboard. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
The newly launched Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Tanzania, celebrated for its ambitious promise to revolutionize the country's transport sector, has encountered significant hurdles since its inception.
Frequent breakdowns of the new trains have sparked intense discussions about the government’s preparedness for such a transformative project. The most recent debate unfolded during an Azam TV interview between former Minister of Communications and Transport, Dr. Athumani Mfutakamba, and logistics expert Ambele Mwakatobe, based in the UK. The two held opposing views, highlighting a sharp divide over the SGR’s future.
Dr. Mfutakamba, who served in Tanzania’s transport sector for many years, downplayed the technical issues, suggesting that such disruptions were normal during the early stages of any new transport venture. “These are just teething problems. Over time, we’ll get used to them,” said Dr. Mfutakamba.
He highlighted the broader achievements of the government, particularly under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, for launching the modern rail system despite the challenges. With decades of experience both in Tanzania and the US, Dr. Mfutakamba reassured the public, emphasizing that the issues with the trains were minor and would be resolved with time.
On the other hand, Mwakatobe was blunt and critical, arguing that the government rushed into the SGR project without proper groundwork. “The government jumped into this business too hastily.
There’s no proper system in place to address frequent malfunctions,” he stated, stressing that the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) should have had a dedicated Research and Development (R&D) department to anticipate and solve such problems.
According to Mwakatobe, the lack of a comprehensive analysis of the rail system’s vulnerabilities could have led to these recurring failures. “In advanced countries, they use power banks and other tools to ensure problems are diagnosed and fixed before they escalate,” he added.
Dr. Mfutakamba, in defense of the government, argued that Tanzanians, including Mwakatobe, needed to be patient with the new system. "These things take time," he said. "We must protect the train services from sabotage and ensure they are given the space to grow. It’s only the fourth time in five months that we’ve encountered these issues. It’s a normal part of the process."
However, Mwakatobe was less forgiving, pointing to a broader failure within the Tanzanian academic and governmental systems. He sharply criticized Tanzanian professors for being too focused on titles rather than meaningful contributions.
“I hardly see professors doing anything substantial in Tanzania. They are too busy holding onto their prestigious titles instead of creating real change. Take Cuba during the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance—this small island nation developed its vaccine. What were our professors doing? Waiting for the West to come to our rescue,” he remarked during the interview on UTV.
The tensions between the two figures illustrate the challenges facing the Tanzanian rail system, which is still struggling to overcome technical glitches.
On December 4, 2024, the Tanzanian Electric Power Company (Tanesco) confirmed that a failure in the national grid had caused a sudden halt in the SGR services, stranding passengers traveling between Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, and Dodoma.
Although power was restored and services resumed, this incident highlighted the fragility of the system and raised concerns about its long-term viability.
According to Fredy Mwanjala, TRC's Head of Public Relations affected passengers included those traveling from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma and Morogoro. “The train services were disrupted for hours due to a power failure, and we deeply regret the inconvenience caused to passengers,” he stated, adding that recovery efforts were underway.
Despite the setback, Mwanjala assured the public that the issue had been resolved by 5:30 AM and services were restored to normal.
While the rail system's teething issues remain unresolved, another challenge emerged from an unexpected source—passenger fare evasion. The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) uncovered that some passengers were exploiting the fare system by purchasing tickets for shorter distances but continuing their journeys to farther stations, including Morogoro.
Christopher Mwakajinga, the Deputy Head of PCCB in Morogoro, revealed recently that passengers from Dar es Salaam were taking advantage of the discrepancy in the fare structure, traveling beyond their designated stops without paying the correct fare.
“This fraudulent behavior undermines the system’s financial stability,” Mwakajinga said. He stressed the need for more robust fare enforcement mechanisms and stricter controls to ensure that the SGR’s revenue system operates effectively.
This fare evasion issue, combined with the technical failures, has led to increasing financial strain on both the SGR and the bus transport sector. The Tanzania Bus Owners Association (TABOA) reported a steep decline in passenger numbers on the Dar es Salaam-Dodoma and Dar es Salaam-Morogoro routes, as many passengers switched to the more efficient and faster electric trains.
Mustapha Mwalango, TABOA’s Communications Director, confirmed that the reduction in buses operating these routes was a direct consequence of the SGR's growing popularity, which has forced bus operators to reduce services.
Looking ahead, the future of Tanzania’s SGR is uncertain. While Dr. Mfutakamba remains optimistic, believing that with time, these issues will be ironed out, Mwakatobe’s more cynical view highlights systemic flaws in both the government and academic sectors.
He believes that, unless Tanzania can develop a culture of meaningful innovation and local solutions, the SGR, despite its potential, could struggle to meet its goals.
With criticisms about the lack of proper research and development, Mwakatobe’s remarks reflect a deeper frustration with the way large-scale projects are handled in the country.
He insists that without a shift towards self-reliance, especially in areas like R&D, Tanzania risks repeating the same mistakes in future infrastructure projects.
Ultimately, the divergent views of Dr. Mfutakamba and Mwakatobe underline the complex reality of Tanzania’s transport evolution. While one calls for patience and gradual improvement, the other demands a more rigorous approach that prioritizes research, accountability, and sustainable development.