Gangi Longa
JF-Expert Member
- Feb 5, 2010
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The SGR presents an immense opportunity for Rwanda, region
By: RENITA GATESI
The Rwandan government has opted for the standard gauge railway, as it is faster and more efficient and will therefore lower transportation costs across international borders, thus boosting economic growth. The EAC Railways Master Plan incorporates the standard gauge railway’s Northern and Central Corridors, placing Rwanda strategically at the heart of the East African economy.
The government will commit a total of $2.5 billion (over Rwf2140 billion) to the massive project that will link the country with Tanzania, according to an official at Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA).
During President Paul Kagame’s visit to Tanzania, a bilateral agreement with President John Magufuli was settled to construct a 400-kilometer standard gauge railway (SGR) line from Isaka to Kigali. After talks between both heads of state, Magufuli told media that the construction of the railway line will be jointly financed by the two countries.
The Manager of Planning and Research Division at Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA), Fabrice Barisanga said that the 2014 action plan revealed that the whole railway project from Dar es Salaam to Kigali will cover 1,464 kilometres. He said that currently, they are looking at 494 kilometer Isaka-Kigali phase where Rwanda has 150 kilometers to construct.
The action plan shows that the whole project will cost $2.5 billion passing through Eastern Province’s Districts of Kirehe-Ngoma-Bugera to Kicukiro District in Kigali, Masaka Sector. The railway is expected to ease transportation between Rwanda and Tanzania. Currently, 70 per cent of Rwanda’s importations transit through Tanzania.
Some of the benefits have started and will be realized as time progresses. All towns and cities along the route of the SGR will benefit from increased traffic and business.
“The East African neighbourhood has a chance to change itself into one of the major trading blocks on the continent. The SGR is a game changer for all citizens, especially in countries that are taking it seriously”, a teacher in Nu-Vision High School said during a forum on regional matters held at the school recently.
“The SGR route is projected to be a major boost to tourism in Rwanda. A prospected rise in regional tourists from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and South Sudan being able to enjoy the beautiful gorilla parks and beaches affordably and easily is most likely. There will be ease of transport and changes in where people live, work and play…someone could work in Rwanda and live in Dodoma, these kinds of trends could open up the entire region through opening up trade and cultural integration and spreading opportunities across the entire country” said Ireri wa Mbogo during discussions about regional integration .
If SGR is properly managed, priced and maintained, it will serve the entire region for the next 80 to 100 years. Upgrades to facilities and tracks will be needed to accommodate the larger load/capacity expected but that can be financed by profits from current/future operations. The benefits will also accrue from exports of mineral resources like oil, Gold and possibly coal from various deposits locally and regionally using the newly procured and retrofitted wagons to the port. This in turn will enhance regional integration.
Rwanda’s commitment to the realization of a fully operational SGR still holds. In fact, the country is conducting required research that will allow the implementation of the sections from Dar-es Salaam to Kigali.
The aim is to facilitate efficient movement of freight and passenger traffic, provide access to the port of Dar-es Salaam and reduce transportation costs within the partner states.
The SGR is part of a bigger and ambitious plan to connect the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic with Rwanda as the central point.
The SGR presents an immense opportunity for Rwanda, region
By: RENITA GATESI
- PUBLISHED: February 14, 2018
The Rwandan government has opted for the standard gauge railway, as it is faster and more efficient and will therefore lower transportation costs across international borders, thus boosting economic growth. The EAC Railways Master Plan incorporates the standard gauge railway’s Northern and Central Corridors, placing Rwanda strategically at the heart of the East African economy.
The government will commit a total of $2.5 billion (over Rwf2140 billion) to the massive project that will link the country with Tanzania, according to an official at Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA).
During President Paul Kagame’s visit to Tanzania, a bilateral agreement with President John Magufuli was settled to construct a 400-kilometer standard gauge railway (SGR) line from Isaka to Kigali. After talks between both heads of state, Magufuli told media that the construction of the railway line will be jointly financed by the two countries.
The Manager of Planning and Research Division at Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA), Fabrice Barisanga said that the 2014 action plan revealed that the whole railway project from Dar es Salaam to Kigali will cover 1,464 kilometres. He said that currently, they are looking at 494 kilometer Isaka-Kigali phase where Rwanda has 150 kilometers to construct.
The action plan shows that the whole project will cost $2.5 billion passing through Eastern Province’s Districts of Kirehe-Ngoma-Bugera to Kicukiro District in Kigali, Masaka Sector. The railway is expected to ease transportation between Rwanda and Tanzania. Currently, 70 per cent of Rwanda’s importations transit through Tanzania.
Some of the benefits have started and will be realized as time progresses. All towns and cities along the route of the SGR will benefit from increased traffic and business.
“The East African neighbourhood has a chance to change itself into one of the major trading blocks on the continent. The SGR is a game changer for all citizens, especially in countries that are taking it seriously”, a teacher in Nu-Vision High School said during a forum on regional matters held at the school recently.
“The SGR route is projected to be a major boost to tourism in Rwanda. A prospected rise in regional tourists from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and South Sudan being able to enjoy the beautiful gorilla parks and beaches affordably and easily is most likely. There will be ease of transport and changes in where people live, work and play…someone could work in Rwanda and live in Dodoma, these kinds of trends could open up the entire region through opening up trade and cultural integration and spreading opportunities across the entire country” said Ireri wa Mbogo during discussions about regional integration .
If SGR is properly managed, priced and maintained, it will serve the entire region for the next 80 to 100 years. Upgrades to facilities and tracks will be needed to accommodate the larger load/capacity expected but that can be financed by profits from current/future operations. The benefits will also accrue from exports of mineral resources like oil, Gold and possibly coal from various deposits locally and regionally using the newly procured and retrofitted wagons to the port. This in turn will enhance regional integration.
Rwanda’s commitment to the realization of a fully operational SGR still holds. In fact, the country is conducting required research that will allow the implementation of the sections from Dar-es Salaam to Kigali.
The aim is to facilitate efficient movement of freight and passenger traffic, provide access to the port of Dar-es Salaam and reduce transportation costs within the partner states.
The SGR is part of a bigger and ambitious plan to connect the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic with Rwanda as the central point.
The SGR presents an immense opportunity for Rwanda, region