GCA Partners with World Bank Group to Climate-Proof Tanzania’s Second Intermodal and Rail Development Project
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otterdam, the Netherlands, 28 March 2024 — The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) today announced its partnership with the World Bank Group (WBG) to provide technical assistance and capacity-building support for the climate-proofing of Tanzania’s Second Intermodal and Rail Development Project (TIRP-2). Valued at US$200 million and expected to benefit 90 million inhabitants, TIRP-2 seeks to reinforce Tanzania’s railway infrastructure, enhance operational efficiency, and establish robust safety processes and institutional capabilities to ensure the network’s resilience under worsening climate impacts. The project carries forward the momentum of Tanzania’s efforts to improve its railway network following the first phase of the Tanzania Intermodal Railway Development Project, ensuring that climate risks are now embedded in planning, design, and operations.
GCA will conduct thorough climate risk and vulnerability assessments to identify immediate threats, particularly recurrent flooding, landslides, and erosion along the 970 km Dar es Salaam–Isaka railway corridor. The analysis will guide infrastructure designers and planners, highlighting priority interventions for track and bridge reinforcement, especially in the highly flood-prone Kilosa–Gulwe–Igandu segment. GCA will also explore the use of large-scale nature-based solutions, such as reforestation and water retention systems, to mitigate flood risks and sedimentation in upstream catchments.
In parallel, GCA plans to strengthen local capacity in resilient railway planning and operations. Through a Masterclass on Climate Resilient Infrastructure, delivered under the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP), GCA will share best practices and strategies for integrating climate considerations into transport planning. This initiative will involve collaboration with the World Bank, African Development Bank, and the Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC), reinforcing the country’s ability to manage and maintain vital infrastructure even under the pressures of climate-related hazards.
Beyond addressing physical vulnerabilities, TIRP-2 will help sustain Tanzania’s economic development by safeguarding critical rail connections, reducing costly disruptions, and protecting the livelihoods of communities reliant on rail for trade and travel. The reliable transport of people, commodities, and commercial goods is central to the country’s prosperity. By reducing the frequency of climate-related closures, the project will foster stable agricultural supply chains, maintain essential passenger services, and attract additional investment in water, sanitation, and energy systems that can also benefit from adaptive, forward-looking planning.
“Tanzania’s rail network is a lifeline for millions, and ensuring its resilience to climate shocks is vital for the country’s continued economic growth,” said Professor Patrick V. Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation. “Through this project, we are helping to protect critical infrastructure and livelihoods, demonstrating that climate adaptation—done right—both safeguards communities and drives sustainable development.”
By tailoring infrastructure improvements to address predicted future climate scenarios, TIRP-2 aims to reduce or prevent recurring railway disruptions in areas where floods currently cause months-long closures and devastating economic losses. Rehabilitating flood control reservoirs in upstream regions, elevating rail alignments, improving culvert design, and integrating conservation agriculture practices in vulnerable watersheds are among the solutions under consideration.
Scheduled for implementation from 2023 to 2026, TIRP-2 involves close coordination with ongoing GCA support for other rail-focused adaptation efforts in East Africa, ensuring consistent data collection, shared modeling capabilities, and collaborative dialogue with stakeholders.
