Exim Bank of China finances reconstruction of Tanzania’s central railway
Thursday July 21 2016
President John Magufuli with China Exim Bank president Liu Liang after holding talks at Chamwino State Lodge in Dodoma yesterday. PHOTO | COURTESY
The Exim Bank of China agreed to lend Tanzania $7.6 billion to finance the standard gauge railway from Dar es Salaam to the Burundi border.
The line will link the country to landlocked neighbours Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda.
According to a government statement issued Thursday, the money is enough to construct 2,190 kilometre central railway line.
“We have a positive view on the central railway project; we see it as a good project and we will give the cooperation needed and deliver within set schedules” said Liu Liang the bank’s president.
The railway line will run from Dar es Salaam – Tabora –Isaka - Mwanza, Tabora-Mpanda-Kalemela, Tabora-Uvinza-Kigoma and Isaka-Keza-Musongati, Burundi.
READ: Rwanda looks to Tanzania for rail Transport
The railway lines connect to landlocked East African countries Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. The line to Kigali, Rwanda will ultimately connect Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
“The planned standard gauge railway line will improve regional trade links and help to boost the economies of Tanzania and its landlocked neighbours including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),” Mr Liang said.