What You Need to Know
A Ugandan government document reveals plans to connect a new railway under construction to another in Tanzania, potentially boosting mineral exports such as gold and copper. Currently, Uganda exports most goods via Kenya’s Mombasa port, but this new initiative aims to enhance transport efficiency and reduce costs by linking rich mineral areas to Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam port.
Africa-Press. A government document has revealed that Uganda is seeking to connect a new railway under construction to another being built in neighboring Tanzania, which could open new avenues for exporting minerals such as gold, copper, and iron ore.
Currently, Uganda exports most of its goods via the Kenyan port of Mombasa and has already announced plans to link its standard gauge railway project to a line under construction in Kenya, an initiative that is still underway.
Uganda had not previously announced its intention to connect the railway to the Tanzanian railway network and its port in Dar es Salaam. The Ugandan Ministry of Works and Transport document states that the railway will extend from the border with Tanzania, passing through southern and southwestern Uganda, and ending in the town of Mpondwe on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The document states, “The main objective of the project is to connect the vast mineral-rich areas in both Uganda and Tanzania to the port of Dar es Salaam, thereby saving time and transportation costs.”
The document also noted the possibility of funding from the African Development Bank for the project, with the potential for the Democratic Republic of the Congo to join later. The African Development Bank has indicated that it is considering a request to finance “preparatory activities” for the railway project. A bank official, Epifanio Carvalho de Melo, stated, “The bank may consider financing the project based on the results of studies, if its financial viability is confirmed.”
Uganda has been working on improving its transport infrastructure to facilitate trade and export. Historically, the country has relied heavily on the Mombasa port in Kenya for its exports. The new railway project aims to diversify Uganda’s export routes and enhance its economic ties with neighboring Tanzania, which has its own growing mining sector. This initiative could significantly impact regional trade dynamics and mineral export efficiency.
