Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are moving to strengthen transport and trade links between Maniema Province and the Port of Dar es Salaam through the Central Corridor, with the rehabilitation of the Kindu–Kalemie Railway emerging as a key priority.

The railway project formed part of discussions during a Tanzania–DRC technical mission to Kindu, Maniema Province, held recently and coordinated by the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA) under the Transport Infrastructure Development Programme for Strengthening Trade between the DRC and Tanzania.

The mission followed resolutions of the Tanzania–DRC Steering Committee meeting held in Kigoma in March 2026, which identified transport infrastructure, logistics, railways, aviation, inland waterways and private-sector development as priority areas for bilateral cooperation.

The Tanzanian delegation comprised officials from the Ministry of Transport, Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), Tanzania Railways Corporation, Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC), Air Tanzania Company Limited, diplomatic missions of both countries, the private sector and the CCTTFA Secretariat.

During the visit, officials inspected Kindu National Airport, Kindu Railway Station and Kindu Inland River Port to assess their condition and identify priority investments required to establish a more efficient multi-modal transport network linking Maniema with Tanzania and the Port of Dar es Salaam.

The discussions reaffirmed the need to accelerate rehabilitation of the Kindu–Kalemie Railway, modernize Kindu Port, upgrade Kindu National Airport and improve the integration of rail, inland waterways, road and maritime transport along the Central Corridor.

The strategy is intended to give land-linked areas of the DRC more efficient access to the Indian Ocean through Dar es Salaam, while reducing logistics costs, improving cargo flows, facilitating trade and creating investment opportunities.

In parallel with the railway discussions, CCTTFA and the Government of Maniema Province signed a Memorandum of Understanding for an inland waterways project involving the construction of a 500-tonne river freight barge and a 700-horsepower push boat. The vessels are expected to improve cargo connectivity between Kindu and Ubundu and strengthen the province’s inland water transport network.

The MoU was signed by CCTTFA Executive Secretary Adv. Okandju Okonge Flory and Dr. Liwenga Teresa, Executive Director of LTA, establishing a framework for closer institutional cooperation in the development of Lake Tanganyika and its wider transport system.

The partnership will support efforts to improve transport infrastructure, maritime safety and security, policy and regulatory harmonisation, environmental sustainability and regional trade facilitation. It will also cover navigation safety, capacity building, sustainable fisheries and fish value chains, as well as joint studies, projects and programmes across the Lake Tanganyika Basin.

The cooperation complements broader efforts by Tanzania and the DRC to deepen bilateral trade and strengthen connectivity through Lake Tanganyika and the Central Corridor. By linking railways, inland waterways, ports and aviation infrastructure, the two countries are seeking to develop a more integrated transport chain capable of moving goods and people more efficiently across the region.

The emerging multimodal approach also reinforces the Central Corridor’s role as more than a route from the Tanzanian coast to the Great Lakes. It is increasingly being developed as an integrated regional logistics network connecting maritime gateways with rail, inland waterways and other transport infrastructure deep inside the DRC hinterland.