President Kagame, Suluhu and Adesina discuss on railway project

The railway will follow the track from Tanzania through Rwanda to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The project conceived in 2009 took formal shape in 2018 when Rwanda and Tanzania signed implementation agreements.

The topic was also discussed at the European Union (EU) – African Union (AU) Summit that took place on 17th and 18th February 2022 in Belgium.

The President of AfDB, Adesina has via Twitter handle shared a picture where he appeared along with Kagame and his counterpart of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu with a description that they are working together to advance the railway project.

“At EU-AU Summit in Brussels: Working with President @PaulKagame of Rwanda and President @SuluhuSamia of Tanzania to advance regional railways project linking Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and DRC. With their remarkable vision and leadership, we will get it done!” he tweeted.

Initially, the project was to be implemented between Tanzania and Burundi where the railway had to follow the track from Kigoma to Gitega in Burundi covering 240 kilometers.

In May 2018, Rwanda and Tanzania agreed to restructure the project to start the track from Isaka to Kigali using electric train.

Of the total US$ 2.3 billion estimated cost to complete the 532-km railway; Tanzania shall meet US$ 1.3 billion while US$ 1.2 billion is required on Rwanda side.

Once completed, Rwanda plans to build an extra part of the railway leading to Bugesera International Airport and Rubavu district bordering with Goma town in DRC.

The long awaited railway linking to Rwanda to neighboring countries is expected to give relief to traders catering for expensive cost of land cargo transport.

The railway on Rwandan side will follow the lowland through Ngoma, Kirehe, Bugesera to Kigali city at headquarters of Dubai Ports in Kicukiro district.

It is said that landmarks landmarks for Isaka-Kigali railway passage have been erected from Rusumo to Ndera in Kigali city. Rwanda is raising funds while construction of the railway is underway on the side of Tanzania.