The government of Tanzania, under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has initiated preparations for the construction of a Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line stretching from the Port of Mtwara to Mbamba Bay on Lake Malawi.
The project, estimated to cover about 1,000 kilometres, is currently at the preliminary stage, involving resource mobilization, technical design, and consultations with potential investors through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
Once completed, the SGR line is projected to cost around $5.6 billion and is expected to serve as a critical transport corridor for goods moving from the Indian Ocean to Lake Malawi.
It will also facilitate the transportation of minerals and coal from the Mchuchuma and Liganga mines, thereby boosting the mining and energy value chains.
Beyond enhancing connectivity, the project is envisioned to spur economic transformation across southern Tanzania.
It will create employment opportunities, strengthen trade, promote processing industries, and improve the efficiency of transporting goods and raw materials.
The SGR corridor is also expected to establish the foundation for a nationwide rail network linking the coast with inland regions, while expanding cross-border trade through Lake Malawi.
By doing so, Tanzania aims to attract more international investment into its mining and logistics sectors.
Given its scale, cost and far-reaching socio-economic benefits, the Mtwara–Mbamba Bay SGR line stands out as a strategic national project that will not only drive growth in the southern corridor but also reshape the country’s rail transport landscape.