The World Bank has approved US$200 million in financing for the second phase of the Tanzania Intermodal and Rail Development Project (TIRP-2).

The scheme aims to improve safety, climate resilience and operational efficiency along segments of Tanzania's metre-gauge railway (MGR) network, which connects the Port of Dar Es Salaam to Kigoma in the west and Mwanza in the north.

Specifically, TIRP-2 will strengthen the Dar es Salaam-Tabora section, including the refurbishment of 257.4km of track and bridges, as well as reinforcing safety infrastructure.

The project will also rehabilitate the 130km Tabora-Isaka section, which is currently the weakest link for container block train operations. It will be upgraded to support an increased axle load capacity between Dar es Salaam port and the Isaka railway terminal.

The 84km flood-prone Kilosa-Gulwe-Igandu section will also be upgraded. Studies will be conducted for the design of flood control systems along the catchment area, including the rehabilitation and restoration of six flood control reservoirs at the Kinyasungwe catchment area.

In addition, the Ilala and Isaka intermodal terminals will be improved through the realignment of rail and loading platforms.

Tanzania Intermodal and Rail Development Project (TIRP-2) mapSource: World Bank, project appraisal report, March 2024

TIRP-2 will also support the preparation of feasibility studies and regulatory and contractual documentation for the implementation of public-private partnerships (PPPs) for the terminals and to ensure seamless integration of operations with the Dar es Salaam port intermodal terminal, which is being implemented separately by the government.

The National Irrigation Commission (NIRC) will be the implementing agency for the Kilosa-Gulwe-Igandu section works and Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) will implement the other project components.

"While [Tanzania's] transportation network is extensive, there are persistent bottlenecks in terms of maintenance and capacity that are limiting its full use," said World Bank country director Nathan Belete.

"This investment will directly address bottlenecks in the rail network to enhance efficiency, capacity and competitiveness so as to maximise Tanzania's unique position to facilitate regional connectivity."

The first phase of the project, TIRP-1 was completed in 2022 at a total cost of US$270.8 million. It entailed the rehabilitation of 607.8km of railway track and 377 bridges, as well as increasing the axle load capacity of the 840km section between Dar es Salaam and Tabora. China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) undertook the work.

Also under TIRP-1, designs were completed for the rehabilitation of the intermodal terminals at Dar es Salaam port, Ilala and Isaka, and additional rolling stock was procured for TRC.

Tanzania has two existing railway systems with a total length of 3,682km: the 2,707km MGR run by TRC and the 975km Tanzania-Zambia railway line, a cape-gauge railway (CGR) under the Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara).

A new standard-gauge railway (SGR) is being built in phases along the central trade corridor. The first phase from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza comprises five lots, with the first two lots between Dar es Salaam and Makutupora (541km) soon to begin operating and the remaining three lots between Makutupora and Mwanza (673km) under construction.

Implementation of the first lot of the second phase, running from Tabora to Kigoma for 411km is also ongoing. The new line runs parallel to the MGR line.