The Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA) has played a pivotal role in facilitating trade and transport across East and Central Africa. The agency was formed in 2006 through an agreement signed between Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to enhance trade and transport connectivity among member states. Respectively, on 1st December 2023 and 8th October 2024, Malawi and Zambia acceded to the CCTTFA Agreement as 6th and 7th Member States
One of CCTTFA’s key strategic objectives is to enhance connectivity and economic integration of the member states. According to Mr. Emmanuel Rutagengwa, the Director of Transport Policy and Planning representing the CCTTFA’s Executive Secretary Adv. Flory OKANDJU, he indicated that connectivity in this context refers to physical infrastructure, including roads, railways, and inland waterways, forming a seamless multi-modal transport corridor’.
The Dar es Salaam port is the Central Corridor’s gateway to and from the sea and hence to the global markets. It plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth flow of imports and exports to/from the member states. Dar es Salaam Port is Tanzania’s largest and busiest harbor and one of the crucial gateways for East and Central Africa.
The roads from Dar es Salaam Port connecting Central Corridor member countries are 95% in good condition. CCTTFA is facilitating road infrastructure improvement programs. Central Corridor has the following main road networks: Dar–Bujumbura through Kabanga/Kobero One Stop Border Post (OSBP); Dar–Kigali–Goma-Walikale-Kisangani through Rusumo OSBP; Rubavu/Goma border; Dar–Kampala through Mutukula OSBP; and via transshipment services in Mwanza to Portbell, Dar–Bukavu via Burundi, or via Rwanda borders.
The Central Corridor boasts an extensive multimodal transport network. “We have a strong network that includes major inland waterways such as Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Kivu, Lake Nyasa/Malawi, and Rivers within the corridor,” Mr. Rutagengwa.
The corridor also features railway links. Cargo is distributed through an integrated rail and ferry system, traveling on rail through Tanzania to the port of Kigoma via Lake Tanganyika, connecting to Bujumbura, Burundi, and to Kalemie and Kalundu ports in DRC, or to the port of Mwanza via Lake Victoria, connecting to Kisumu, Kenya, and Port Bell in Uganda.
The Isaka Dry Port in Tanzania, a key inland container depot (ICD), serves as a vital distribution center where cargo is transshipped for onward transportation. The port provides transport and distribution services to neighboring land-linked countries such as Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Uganda.
The CCTTFA expansion to reach Malawi and Zambia effectively provides an additional railway link to the corridor via the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA).
“Both Malawi and Zambia recognized the effectiveness of CCTTFA’s operations in enhancing connectivity, trade facilitation, and economic integration and decided to join,” Mr. Rutagengwa said.
He added, “The agency now operates across three major economic regions—EAC, SADC, and COMESA—strengthening the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”
Tanzania’s ambitious electric Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project is transforming regional logistics. The SGR project consists of multiple phases connecting key regions in Tanzania. The first phase links Dar es Salaam to Morogoro, covering 300 km, and Dar es Salaam-Morogoro (Km 300) and Morogoro-Makutupora (422 km) are almost completed, and the first commercial electric train service launched on the first 2 lots in June 2024. Lot 3 extends from Makutupora to Tabora (294 km), and Lot 4: Tabora-Isaka (Km 130) is under construction. Lot 5: Mwanza to Isaka dry port construction progress stands at 65% completion.
The Central Corridor SGR extends to the member states of Burundi and DRC, where the works contract for the section Uvinza to Musongati (282 km) connecting Tanzania and Burundi has been signed on 29th January 2025, while feasibility studies and preliminary engineering designs for the Gitega to Kindu section connecting Burundi and DRC are currently ongoing under the coordination of CCTTFA and expected to be completed in April 2025.
“With full completion expected within the next few years, this railway infrastructure will significantly enhance efficiency, reducing transit times and costs,” Mr. Rutagengwa said.
Beyond improving infrastructure, CCTTFA is prioritizing economic integration by promoting the export of high-value products and increasing regional production and productivity.
Additionally, the agency is focusing on making the corridor more environmentally sustainable.
Our goal is to ensure that at least 40% of the cargo is transported by rail, reducing carbon emissions and improving overall efficiency,” Mr. Rutagengwa emphasized, adding that the region can export more cargo through a sustainable corridor with increased production.
CCTTFA continues to be a driving force in enhancing regional trade facilitation and connectivity. With ongoing infrastructure projects, regional economic integration efforts, and sustainability initiatives, the agency is well-positioned to support the growth of intra-African trade and the implementation of AfCFTA. The expansion of rail transport and the commitment to green logistics will undoubtedly shape the future of freight logistics in East and Central Africa.
This article was published by the editorial team at FEAFFA. For any enquiries, contact us via Email: editorial@feaffa.com/ freightlogistics@feaffa.com / onionga@feaffa.com Tel: +254733780240
