{"url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-17/tanzania-railways-arab-contractors-southern-corridor","markdown_url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-17/tanzania-railways-arab-contractors-southern-corridor.md","title":"Tanzania Railways Signs Arab Contractors Study Deal","headline":"Tanzania Railways Taps Egypt's Arab Contractors for 1,000-Kilometre Southern Corridor Study","description":"Tanzania Railways Corporation signed Arab Contractors to study a 1,000-kilometre Southern Corridor line linking Mtwara Port to Mbamba Bay.","section":"Partnerships","published_at":"2026-10-17T19:52:02+00:00","modified_at":"2026-10-17T19:52:02+00:00","author":"News Desk","key_takeaways":["Tanzania Railways Corporation signed an agreement with Egypt's Arab Contractors for preliminary studies on a proposed 1,000-kilometre Southern Corridor Railway Line.","Arab Contractors will fund the preliminary studies itself and is expected to submit an initial report within three months.","Transport Minister Makame Mbarawa directed both parties to set a work plan covering responsibilities, expected results and implementation timelines."],"companies":[{"name":"Tanzania Railways Corporation","is_primary":true,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/002bflp/tanzania-railways-corporation","website":"https://www.trc.co.tz"},{"name":"The Arab Contractors","is_primary":false,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/002oc4q/the-arab-contractors","website":"https://www.arabcont.com"}],"source":{"publisher":"EIN Presswire","title":"Tanzania Advances Southern Railway Plan with Egypt’s Arab Contractors - The Chanzo","url":"https://www.einnews.com/article/950422955/live"},"other_sources":[],"tags":["Partnerships","Tanzania Railways Corporation","The Arab Contractors"],"body_markdown":"[Tanzania Railways Corporation](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/002bflp/tanzania-railways-corporation) signed an agreement with Egypt's state-owned Arab Contractors to carry out preliminary studies and a feasibility assessment for a proposed 1,000-kilometre Southern Corridor Railway Line linking Mtwara Port with mineral-rich southern regions and Mbamba Bay on Lake Nyasa, [EIN Presswire](https://www.einnews.com/article/950422955/live) reported. The signing took place on Friday, October 16, 2026, in Dar es Salaam.\n\n## What the Southern Corridor Agreement Covers\n\nTRC Director General Machibya Shiwa said the agreement sets a framework for technical and financial studies, including an assessment of possible financing options. \"Under the agreement, Arab Contractors will undertake preliminary studies at its own cost and is expected to submit an initial report within three months,\" Shiwa said. \"TRC will provide technical information, coordinate relevant institutions and review the findings.\"\n\nThe proposed line is intended to move minerals, agricultural produce and industrial goods and to improve access to regional markets. A branch is planned to serve the Mchuchuma coal and Liganga iron ore projects.\n\nTransport Minister Professor Makame Mbarawa said the railway could unlock economic opportunities in southern Tanzania by connecting agricultural production areas, mineral deposits and industrial projects with Mtwara Port. He directed both parties to establish a work plan defining responsibilities, expected results and implementation timelines, and said the studies must examine actual freight demand, construction costs, financing options and the long-term sustainability of railway operations. \"The agreements being signed today constitute a preparatory step for this important project,\" Mbarawa said.\n\nThe proposal revives ambitions associated with the Mtwara Development Corridor, a regional initiative advanced by Southern African Development Community leaders in 2004 to promote trade and investment among Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. Arab Contractors participated in the consortium involved in implementing the 2,115-megawatt Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, and its current agreement covers feasibility studies rather than construction.\n\n## Tanzania Railways Corporation's Recent Moves\n\nAccording to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data), Tanzania Railways Corporation strengthened a strategic partnership with Korea Railroad Corporation Joint Venture in May 2026 for Standard Gauge Railway technology transfer, training, and design review and construction supervision on the Dar es Salaam–Mwanza and Uvinza–Msongati corridors. The same records show TRC acquired Ford Ranger and Mercedes-Benz Unimog vehicles equipped with laser inspection technology for SGR track monitoring, defect detection and safety inspection in May 2026, and received operational handover of the 29,450 sq meter Isaka area in Shinyanga Region as an inland dry port in March 2026.\n\n## Report Deadline and Work Plan\n\nArab Contractors is expected to submit an initial report within three months of the October 16, 2026 signing. Mbarawa directed both parties to establish a work plan defining responsibilities, expected results and implementation timelines.\n","publisher":{"name":"News for Agent","url":"https://newsforagent.com"}}