China and Tanzania agree to develop a railway that carries nickel

Two Chinese companies have entered into a deal with Tanzania and Burundi to construct a railway that will carry metals, notably the battery material nickel, to the port city of Dar es Salaam.

At the signing ceremony on Wednesday, Tanzania’s transport minister Makame Mbarawa stated that China Railway Engineering Group Ltd. and China Railway Engineering Design and Consulting Group would build the $2.15 billion joint venture.

According to Tanzania’s finance minister, Mwigulu Nchemba, the African Development Bank (AfDB) would provide the funding.

According to Tanzania’s finance ministry last year, the two countries anticipate that the 282-kilometer (175-mile) standard gauge line will move three million metric tons of minerals a year.

Through its Belt and Road Initiative, China has provided funding for infrastructure projects throughout Africa during the past ten years, including ports, power plants, and railroads.