CCM has expressed commitment to completing the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), calling it a game-changing project that will unlock regional trade, create jobs, and accelerate Tanzania’s economic growth.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Kigwa B village, Igalula constituency, in Tabora Region, Dr Nchimbi described the SGR as a cornerstone of CCM’s development strategy and pledged its full completion in the next term.

“This railway is not just steel and concrete — it’s the backbone of Tanzania’s future economy,” he said. “From Makutopora to Kigoma, it will connect rural communities, cut transport costs, and open up trade routes across East and Central Africa.”

The SGR passes through Uyui District and Igalula constituency via key segments: Makutopora–Tabora (368 km), Tabora–Isaka (165 km), Mwanza–Isaka (341 km), Tabora–Kigoma (508 km), and Uvinza–Musongati (282 km), placing Tabora Region at the heart of Tanzania’s modern transport revolution.

Once operational, the railway is expected to drastically reduce freight transport time from Dar es Salaam to the interior and neighbouring countries such as Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC. It also promises to ease pressure on roads and reduce emissions by shifting cargo to rail.

Dr Nchimbi commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for the project’s momentum under CCM leadership, saying the progress demonstrates the government’s focus on long-term, high-impact infrastructure.

“Beyond transportation, the SGR will spark growth along the entire corridor — from industrial parks and logistics centres to new markets and small businesses,” he said. “Thousands of direct and indirect jobs are being created through this effort.”

While highlighting other sectors such as agriculture and national security, Dr Nchimbi maintained that large-scale infrastructure like the SGR will serve as a catalyst for inclusive development.

He also promised increased investment in irrigation — including the construction of a new dam in Igalula — and renewed support for farmers through mechanisation, extension services, and rural electrification, all of which he said would benefit from the logistics advantages brought by the railway.

Turning to trade, Dr Nchimbi pledged that a CCM-led government would make Tanzania “the most business-friendly country in the region,” with the SGR as a key enabler of reduced costs and wider market access.

“The SGR is more than a railway — it’s an engine of opportunity,” he said. “CCM will see it through to the highest standard, on schedule, and in service of every Tanzanian.”

 Kigwa rally drew large crowds from across the constituency, with many residents expressing hope that the rail project would bring long-awaited transformation to the area.