Tanzania set for major rail investment

Investment in Tanzania's railways is set to increase dramatically as the UK government has pledged to consider a request from the African nation to provide rolling stock for the central Dar es Salaam line.
Discussions between Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete took place at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

During the discussions, President Kikwete clarified his nation's ongoing efforts to restore railway transport in the Dar es Salaam region and surrounding areas.

Tanzania's Minister for Transport, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, explained that a lack of engines and carriages means that very few passengers and a limited amount of cargo are transported every year.

The UK government said it would consider providing the African nation with engines and carriages that are no longer in use in the UK to resolve the issue.

Last year, Justine Greening, the UK's International Development Secretary, said that £10.5 million of funding will be provided to support or fund innovative ideas that help to limit the cost of transport in Africa, with Tanzania being a particular focus of the project.

Source: TRL