Tanzania’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) electric train services were disrupted on December 4, 2024, due to a nationwide power outage. The incident, which occurred at approximately 10:00 am East Africa Time (EAT), affected three trains operating on routes between Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, and Dodoma. According to the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC), the disruption lasted about 90 minutes, with services resuming by 11:30 am EAT after power was restored.
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Tanesco blames grid fault, assures stability measures
The power outage was traced to a fault in the national grid, which triggered blackouts in multiple regions. Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco) attributed the issue to unforeseen technical problems, apologised for the inconvenience, and assured the public of ongoing efforts to stabilise the grid and prevent similar disruptions in the future.
This comes shortly after a landmark moment in Tanzania’s transportation sector. On November 1, 2024, the country officially inaugurated its first Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train service, commonly referred to as the “Mchongoko” train.
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This train embarked on its maiden journey from Magufuli Station in Dar es Salaam to the main station in Dodoma, marking a significant step in modernising Tanzania’s railway system. Masanja Kadogosa, TRC’s Director General, described the Mchongoko service as an express route designed to bypass intermediate stops, reducing travel time by about 45 minutes compared to other trains.
Wildlife interference, outages expose operational vulnerabilities
Despite such progress, the recent power outage highlights the vulnerabilities in Tanzania’s electric railway operations. Earlier this year, wildlife interference caused disruptions, with incidents involving monkeys and owls tampering with electrical systems. These events underscore the need for stronger safeguards to ensure uninterrupted train services.
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SGR central to Vision 2025, but reliability remains key
The SGR is central to Tanzania’s Vision 2025 development agenda, aiming to modernise transportation and drive economic growth. By facilitating faster and more efficient passenger and cargo movement, the SGR reduces reliance on road transport and enhances regional trade connectivity.
As Tanzania expands its railway network and improves services like the Mchongoko express, addressing challenges such as grid reliability and wildlife interference will be essential. Strengthening infrastructure and implementing contingency measures are key to ensuring the SGR’s success, building public trust, and securing its role in the country’s ambitious modernization goals.