Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are stepping up efforts to improve their cross-border transport links, with the rehabilitation of the Kindu–Kalemie railway emerging as a key priority in plans to strengthen trade through the Central Corridor.
The railway was among the strategic infrastructure projects reviewed during a Tanzanian technical mission to Kindu in Maniema Province between August 3 and 6, 2026. The mission, coordinated by the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA), focused on identifying infrastructure and logistics investments that could improve the movement of cargo between eastern DRC and Tanzania.
The discussions form part of a wider Transport Infrastructure Development Programme aimed at strengthening trade between the two countries. The programme is expected to support better integration of rail, port, aviation and inland waterway services, creating more efficient transport routes for businesses operating across the region.
The Tanzanian delegation included officials from the Ministry of Transport, Tanzania Ports Authority, Tanzania Railways Corporation and Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation. Air Tanzania Company Limited, diplomatic representatives from both countries, private-sector stakeholders and the CCTTFA Secretariat were also represented.
The mission followed commitments reached at the Tanzania–DRC Steering Committee meeting in Kigoma in March 2026. At the meeting, the two countries identified transport infrastructure, logistics, aviation, railways, inland waterways and private-sector participation as priority areas for deeper cooperation.
During the latest visit, technical teams assessed several transport facilities in Kindu, including the national airport, railway station and inland river port. The inspections were intended to determine the condition of existing infrastructure and establish where investment is most urgently required.
For the logistics sector, restoring the Kindu–Kalemie railway could provide an important alternative for moving cargo across the DRC. Improved rail connectivity would also complement inland waterways and road transport, potentially reducing pressure on individual transport routes and improving supply-chain reliability.
The railway is particularly significant within plans to strengthen links between Maniema Province and the Port of Dar es Salaam. A more efficient connection to the Tanzanian port could provide businesses in the DRC with improved access to international shipping markets while strengthening Dar es Salaam’s position as a gateway for Central and East African trade.
Infrastructure development will not be limited to rail. Tanzania and Maniema authorities are also looking at the modernization of Kindu Inland River Port and improvements to Kindu National Airport. Developing these facilities alongside the railway could establish a more integrated multimodal logistics network, allowing cargo to move between rail, water, road and air transport depending on the requirements of shippers.
Another development is an agreement between CCTTFA and the Government of Maniema Province to advance inland waterway transport. Under a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding, the partners will pursue construction of a 500-tonne river freight barge and a 700-horsepower push boat to improve cargo movement between Kindu and Ubundu.
The planned investments could have wider implications for regional trade. Lower transport and logistics costs would make it easier for businesses to access markets, while improved infrastructure could encourage investment in manufacturing, agriculture, mining, tourism and other economic activities along the transport corridor.
For Tanzania, stronger connections with the DRC could generate additional cargo flows through the Port of Dar es Salaam and increase the strategic importance of the Central Corridor. For the DRC, improved access to Tanzania’s transport infrastructure could provide a more reliable route to regional and international markets.
The renewed push to develop rail, port, airport and inland waterway infrastructure signals a broader shift towards multimodal transport cooperation between Tanzania and the DRC. If the projects move from planning to implementation, the resulting network could play a significant role in lowering logistics barriers and strengthening commercial links across the Great Lakes and Central African regions.
