The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors last week approved US$300 million in funds from the International Development Association (IDA) to support the Government of Tanzania's effort to create a reliable open access railway infrastructure on the Dar es Saalam-Isaka section of the East African Central Corridor and to strengthen the countries rail agencies' ability to manage the infrastructure, the traffic operations, and the network regulation.

This project is a necessary first step to the eventual upgrade and expansion of the broader Central Corridor transport network.

Philippe Dongier, the World Bank's Country Director for Tanzania, said:

"The location and the size of Tanzania, its mineral and agricultural resources, its tourism potential and its critical role as a transport hub for its landlocked neighbors, provide unrivaled opportunities for the development of modern transport infrastructure and services. We are excited to support the Government's efforts to rebuild its rail and intermodal transport system. The project will also indirectly help to boost agricultural trade, job creation and overall livelihoods for the country and neighboring countries' poorest people."

The financing will support the Intermodal and Rail Development Project designed to increase the reliability of the rail infrastructure and the train operations; strengthen logistics in the port of Dar es Salaam and the rail terminals; and strengthen rail operations. The funds will go to relaying rail tracks, building new intermodal terminals, repairing or reconstructing bridges and supporting the institutional transformation of the sector.

Henry des Longchamps the World Bank Task Team Leader for the project, said:

"Besides constraining economic activity in Tanzania and reducing the competitiveness of the country's tradable sectors, poor infrastructure on the East African Central Corridor creates delays and high costs for transport of goods between Tanzania and its landlocked neighbors (Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda), as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)", said . "The project will help improve a critical link in the regional rail network that is necessary for both competitiveness and improved regional and global economic integration."

Yonas Mchomvu the World Bank co-Task Team Leader for the project, said:

"The project will help increase transport capacity in Tanzania which will build competitive alternatives to road transport, and lead to greater traffic volumes that will facilitate the development of economic activities and job creation along the corridor areas."