Tanzania Launches Local Locomotive Assembly to Boost Skills and Jobs

Tanzania has started assembling Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) locomotives locally at the Pugu Railway Workshop in Dar es Salaam, becoming the first country in East Africa to do so. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure praised the initiative, noting its importance for national and regional development. During their visit, the committee encouraged Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) to continue training young Tanzanian technicians both locally and abroad to strengthen their technical skills. The project was partly motivated by delays in spare parts delivery due to global supply chain disruptions from the Russia–Ukraine conflict. TRC imported two fully assembled locomotives from Malaysia while the remaining parts were assembled locally. This approach has helped reduce costs, created jobs for 34 previously unemployed youth, and opened opportunities for local businesses supplying materials and technical services. Deputy Minister for Transport David Kihenzile highlighted the government’s ongoing investment in railway infrastructure, including over 2,290 kilometres of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and additional rolling stock. TRC Director General, Mr Machibya Shiwa, emphasized that this initiative not only improves efficiency in the railway system but also boosts Tanzania’s technical capacity and promotes innovation in the transport sector. The project is seen as a historic milestone for Tanzania and East Africa.