Through the Tanzanian railway network, the planned line will provide Burundi with a rail link to the Indian Ocean.
In January 2022, the governments of Tanzania and Burundi signed a Memorandum of Understanding, in which they agreed to the construction of a standard gauge (1435 mm or 4 ft 81⁄2 in) railway line between the two countries.
[5] In August 2022, the Tanzanian government invited bids for the design and construction of the Uvinza-Gitega (Tanzania-Burundi) Standard Gauge line.
The Tanzania Railway Corporation is managing procurement for the governments of both countries, though Burundi's ARTF will be involved in supervision of the construction.
[6] In March 2024, the governments of Tanzania and Burundi commenced formal talks on the technical aspects of construction.
[3] The railway line will connect to the Tanzanian standard gauge network at the town of Uvinza.
From there, it runs in a general northwesterly direction along the Malagarasi river across the international border to the town of Musongati and onwards to the Burundian capital Gitega.
At the border, a 600 metre multimodal bridge will be built, accommodating both cars and trains.
[12] The Burundian and Tanzanian governments have applied for financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB).