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Kigamboni Bridge (Julius Nyerere Bridge) and Tanzania SGR

Tanzania's landmark cable-stayed bridge combined with its transformative Standard Gauge Railway project.

Explainer film in production
§ 01About the project

Tanzania has embarked on two transformative transport projects. The Kigamboni Bridge (originally proposed as the Julius Nyerere Bridge) is a 680-metre cable-stayed bridge across the Kurasini Creek in Dar es Salaam, connecting the city centre to the Kigamboni district. More significantly, Tanzania is building a 1,219 km Standard Gauge Railway from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza on Lake Victoria, with a branch to Isaka. The SGR is being constructed in five lots at an estimated cost of $11.7 billion, with Lot 1 (Dar es Salaam to Morogoro, 300 km) inaugurated in 2024 and further sections under construction. The SGR will eventually connect to neighbouring countries' rail networks.

§ 02What it aims to do
  1. 01Build a modern standard gauge railway connecting Dar es Salaam port to Lake Victoria
  2. 02Reduce freight costs and transit times for Tanzanian and regional trade
  3. 03Replace the aging metre-gauge railway network built in the colonial era
  4. 04Connect to the Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda rail networks for regional integration
  5. 05Serve passenger traffic between Tanzania's major cities
  6. 06Support the development of the Kigamboni New City area via the bridge
§ 03Milestones

  1. 2016 · completed

    SGR Lot 1 Contract Signed

    Tanzania signed a $1.2 billion contract with Yapi Merkezi (Turkey) and CHEC for the Dar es Salaam to Morogoro section.

  2. 2017 · completed

    SGR Construction Begins

    Construction commenced on Lot 1 (300 km, Dar to Morogoro) and Lot 2 (422 km, Morogoro to Makutupora).

  3. 2022 · completed

    Kigamboni Bridge Opens

    The Kigamboni Bridge was completed and opened to traffic, transforming access to the Kigamboni area of Dar es Salaam.

  4. 2024 · completed

    SGR Lot 1 Inaugurated

    The Dar es Salaam to Morogoro SGR section was inaugurated, with passenger services commencing.

  5. 2025 · in progress

    SGR Lot 2 Construction Advanced

    The Morogoro to Makutupora (Dodoma) section of 422 km continued toward completion.

  6. 2027 · upcoming

    SGR to Mwanza Target

    Target completion for the full Dar es Salaam to Mwanza railway across all five lots.

§ 04Engineering & resources

SGR Construction Lead

Yapi Merkezi (Turkey)

Turkish construction firm leading the consortium building multiple lots of the Tanzania SGR.

Owner/Operator

Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC)

The state railway corporation that will own and operate the new standard gauge railway.

Project Owner/Funder

Government of Tanzania

The national government is financing the SGR largely through domestic borrowing and export credit.

Contractor (Kigamboni Bridge)

China Civil Engineering Construction Corp (CCECC)

Chinese firm involved in construction of the Kigamboni Bridge project.

  • Standard gauge (1,435 mm) rail track with concrete sleepers
  • Cable-stayed bridge engineering (Kigamboni Bridge)
  • Electric and diesel-electric locomotive systems
  • Modern signalling and train control systems
  • Pre-stressed concrete viaducts and tunnels
  • Station design for dual passenger and freight operations

What it means for the community

The SGR Lot 1 has already begun carrying passengers between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro, reducing travel time from 5 hours to under 2 hours. When fully completed, the railway will dramatically reduce the cost of moving freight from Dar es Salaam port to landlocked countries, with estimated savings of 40% compared to road transport. The project has created over 30,000 construction jobs. The Kigamboni Bridge has opened Dar es Salaam's last major undeveloped district to growth.

§ 05Articles

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§ 06Partners & owners
  • Tanzania Railways Corporation / Government of Tanzania

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