The project to construct Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) corridors for East Africa is gaining momentum.
Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the DRC have joined the joint ministerial committee of the SGR group steering the construction of the SGR gauge railway corridors, currently underway between Kenya and Uganda.
This railway will facilitate the movement of goods along the northern corridor of the region, with the port of Mombasa serving as the main logistical link.
It will complement the ongoing project on the Tanzanian side, which plans an interconnection with the same countries.
It will provide the region with an integrated railway system and improve the connectivity of landlocked states to the region's ports. It will also strengthen intra-African trade in the current context of the AfCFTA and facilitate regional integration.
This project is part of the initiatives to improve access to the sea for the landlocked countries of the East African region.
The inclusion of these countries in the committee underscores the collaborative effort required to address the infrastructural and economic disparities that can hinder regional development.
The expanded railway network promises to enhance economic growth by reducing transportation costs, increasing trade efficiency, and promoting investment in various sectors, from agriculture to manufacturing.
As part of a broader strategy, these developments are crucial for fostering sustainable economic development and achieving long-term social and economic goals across East Africa.
The project also aims to reduce the environmental impact of transport by providing a more sustainable alternative to road transport, which is currently predominant in the region.
