Due for completion in 2020, construction of a 2 561km standard gauge railway line in Tanzania commences on June 30. The line is meant to ease the movement of goods from the Dar es Salaam port to Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The line will run from Mpiji in Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, through Tabora, Mwanza, Isaka to Rusumo, Kailua-Mpanda-Karema and Uvinza-Musongati in Burundi.

The announcement follows discussions on fast-tracking implementation of the Central Corridor Projects and enhancement of investment in the sector in the region.

Rothschild, one of the World’s largest financial advisory groups, has been approached to mobilise resources for the project. Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete, is due to inaugurate the project.