ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of rail transport in Rwanda

Rail transport is like a really big train that goes on tracks and carries a lot of people and things from one place to another. In the country called Rwanda, they didn't have a lot of trains for a long time. But back in the old days, there were some small rail lines that were built to help people who were farming and living in the countryside get their crops and goods to market in bigger cities.

Later on, a bigger railway was built in Rwanda called the Central East African Railway, which went all the way from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to Kigali, which is the capital city of Rwanda. This railway was very important for the country because it helped transport goods like coffee and tea, which were important for the economy. It also helped people travel around the country more easily.

However, due to economic challenges and lack of maintenance, the railway fell into disrepair over time. It became unsafe for people to travel on and was eventually shut down. But recently, the government of Rwanda has been working to rebuild the railway system in the country, with the help of other countries and international organizations. They are also building some new rail lines to connect Rwanda to neighboring countries like Tanzania and Uganda, which will help boost trade and make it easier for people to travel around the region.