Tanzania Embarks on Ambitious Monorail Projects in Dar-es-Salaam and Dodoma

The Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) has initiated a feasibility study for a proposed urban monorail in Dar-es-Salaam, marking a significant step towards transforming the city's transportation system. The study, conducted by French engineering consultancy Systra, will assess the project's requirements, including the proposed route, construction technology, estimated costs, and implementation model. The monorail is expected to reduce travel time and costs, ease traffic congestion, and improve access to workplaces, business centers, and essential services.

The Dar-es-Salaam urban rail concept has existed in various forms, with Tanzania's Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) previously listing a broader commuter railway network covering Dar-es-Salaam and its surrounding municipalities. The proposed project is estimated at $8 billion and is expected to be delivered through a public-private partnership. However, the current feasibility study represents a more focused approach, with a narrower scope and budget. TRC Director General Machibya Shiwa emphasized that the project aligns with the Tanzania Development Vision 2050, which seeks to build modern infrastructure and support sustainable urban and national economic growth.

In contrast, the Dodoma urban commuter railway project is at a more advanced stage, with TRC completing a feasibility study for a 107-kilometer network and actively seeking financing. The proposed network centers on a Central Dodoma Station at Jamatini, connecting the new urban railway with the existing Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and other public transport. The project is being coordinated with broader urban development initiatives, including the World Bank-supported Dodoma Integrated and Sustainable Transport Project (DIST) and the Transforming and Accelerating the Implementation of the Dodoma Concept (TACTIC) program.

The Dodoma project involves a 52.9-kilometer Red Line with 41 stations, a 28.6-kilometer Purple Line with 23 stations, and a 23.1-kilometer Green Line with 18 stations. A second phase would extend the Purple Line by 13.3 kilometers and the Green Line by 62.9 kilometers, ultimately envisioning a larger network than the initial project. TRC has awarded a €2.5 million contract to a consortium of Spanish, Indian, and South Korean companies to carry out the feasibility work.

The urban monorail projects in Dar-es-Salaam and Dodoma are distinct from the existing Dar-es-Salaam-Dodoma SGR, which handles intercity and freight movement between major centers. The new projects aim to create urban transport systems designed to move people within each city, not to connect the two cities to each other. This layered railway system will enable Tanzania to efficiently manage both intercity and urban transportation.

TRC is exploring a public-private partnership model for the Dodoma project, with several potential partners expressing interest. The corporation is also inviting integration with existing informal and formal transport, including municipal buses, cabs, motorized rickshaws, and motorcycle taxis. This integrated approach aims to create a highly connected multi-modal transit hub, enhancing the overall transportation experience for commuters.

The successful implementation of these monorail projects will have a significant impact on Tanzania's economic growth and urban development. By reducing traffic congestion, improving access to essential services, and increasing economic opportunities, the projects will contribute to the country's development vision and improve the quality of life for its citizens. Key stakeholders will be closely watching the progress of these ambitious projects.

Key points

• The Tanzania Railways Corporation has initiated a feasibility study for a proposed urban monorail in Dar-es-Salaam and is seeking financing for the Dodoma project.
• The projects aim to reduce traffic congestion, improve access to essential services, and increase economic opportunities in the two cities.
• The urban monorail projects are distinct from the existing Dar-es-Salaam-Dodoma Standard Gauge Railway, which handles intercity and freight movement between major centers.