Rwanda and Tanzania have agreed to expedite the process to implement the Isaka-Kigali Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project, a cross-border railway link connecting the two countries.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s first bullet train- rail line linking Rwanda with Tanzania’s port at Dar es Salaam to cost $2.5billion.
For the 422-km Isaka-Kigali Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project, Tanzania will pay $1.3bn and Rwanda $1.2bn.
“The cross-border railway project will enable landlocked Rwanda to access the Dar es Salaam port in Tanzania.”

The 400km-long SGR project will connect Tanzania’s Isaka to Kigali in Rwanda. It is expected to provide improved railway connectivity and reduce freight transportation costs in the East Africa region.
The cross-border railway project will enable landlocked Rwanda to access the Dar es Salaam port in Tanzania. It will support the transfer of goods from Dar es Salaam port to Burundi and Congo.

The two countries are considering various funding options for the project including from the African Development Bank (AfDB). The Isaka-Kigali SGR project was launched by the two governments in January.