Tanzania launched its first electric train on Saturday, transporting 1,400 passengers from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro on its maiden journey, covering 300 kilometers (186 miles). This project, Eastern Africa’s first electric standard-gauge railway, features advanced electric and signaling systems.
Turkey-based Yapi Merkezi, responsible for four of the five sections of Tanzania’s railway project spanning over 1,000 kilometers, completed the first segment. Project Manager M. Firat Aygen emphasized the transformative impact of the railway as the start of a transportation revolution in the region.
Tanzania Railways Corporation’s General Manager Masanja Kadogosa highlighted the project’s significance for economic growth and transportation efficiency. The initial journey, which was free for passengers, reduced travel time between the cities to just two hours.
The Standard Gauge Railway Station in Dar es Salaam, featuring a modern design with sky-blue glass panels, resembles an opulent airport terminal. It includes amenities like state-of-the-art ticketing counters and plush waiting lounges with charging ports.
This $2 billion project, constructed by Yapi Merkezi, is a major boost for domestic connectivity and economic opportunities with neighboring countries like Uganda and Rwanda. The entire route will stretch from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza and Kigoma, covering nearly 1,300 kilometers (810 miles). The completed section from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma, running 460 kilometers (285 miles), will be officially inaugurated on July 1.