DAR ES SALAAM, July 21 -- FOR decades, Kigoma has often been described as Tanzanias distant western outpost-a region rich in natural resources and strategically located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, yet constrained by long travel times and high transport costs.

That narrative may now be changing.

President Samia Suluhu Hassans launch of the construction of the Tabora-Kigoma Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) yesterday, along with the inauguration of four new cargo vessels on Lake Tanganyika and the modernisation of Kigoma Port, marks the beginning of an ambitious effort to transform western Tanzania into a major transport and logistics hub linking the country with the Great Lakes region.

The 2.7 billion US dollar (about 7.12tri/-) electr...