Kigali, 11 December 2018: Rwanda hosted the fourth Meeting of the Ministers responsible for transport of the Republic of Rwanda and the United Republic of Tanzania on the implementation of Isaka - Kigali Standard Gauge Railway project

During this meeting Hon. Claver GATETE, Minister of Infrastructure of the Republic of Rwanda and Hon. Eng. Isack A. KAMWELWE, Minister for Works, Transport and Communications of the United Republic of Tanzania, held an official discussion on financing options of the project, operational framework and agreed on major policy and strategic actions to be taken by respective Governments to facilitate and expedite the implementation of the Isaka-Kigali Railway Project.

The meeting was preceded by the meeting of the Permanent Secretaries responsible for Transport and Finance of the two countries and the meeting of the Joint Technical Monitoring Committee (JTMC) respectively.

The meeting was also attended by Hon. Dr. Claudine UWERA, Minister of State in Charge of Economic Planning, Rwanda, Ms. Patricie UWASE, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure of the Republic of Rwanda, H.E. Ambassador Ernest J. MANGU, Tanzania High Commissioner to Rwanda who represented the Tanzanian Permanent Secretaries of Transport and Finance and Members of Joint Technical Monitoring Committee (JTMC) from both countries.

In a joint statement, the Ministers reiterated their commitment to realize the implementation of the project to reduce transport costs, foster physical integration of transport modes, and improve social services, among others.

“The intention is to make sure that we reduce the cost of transport and this has a direct impact on our socio-economic development, specifically in terms of trade. We all import and export and if we can make it cheaper, then more money will be available for investment in all other economic activities,” Minister Gatete said.

“We are being supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in terms of technical capacity on how to structure the financing arrangement for the investment because this is not cheap and that is why it is taking long,” he added.

He further said that Rwanda is strategically looking for $1.3 billion to construct a section of 130 kilometers from Rusumo to Kigali.

Minister for Works, Transport and Communications of Tanzania, Hon. Eng. Isack A. KAMWELWE emphasized that Rwandans and Tanzanians must rest assured that the two governments are working hard to make sure that this project is implemented.

Minister Kamwelwe said the project which will be implemented in six phases from Dar es Salaam has actually started in Tanzania, where the first two sections are underway using internal resources.

The ministers deliberated on key implementation issues of the project and agreed to continue the bilateral discussion on financing options, and develop a project roadmap incorporating the guidance of the Heads of State.

They further directed the Permanent Secretaries responsible for Transport to fast track the ratification of the Bilateral Agreement by February, 2019:

The Rwandan side was advised to officially communicate the request for secondment to Tanzania through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.