Kidatu is a town in central Tanzania, located in Kilombero District, Morogoro Region. The local population is about 3,300. The primary economic activity is the large Illovo sugar cane plantation and factory which produces 130,000 t of sugar per year.

Geography

It lies on plains to the south of mountains to the north.

Transport

Kidatu is the terminus of a 107 km narrow gauge branch line from Kilosa off the Tanzania Railways Corporation Central line, built between 1958 and 1963.. In the 1970s, the newer TAZARA railway was built through. Hence there is a break of gauge at Kidatu. It is about 300 km from Dar es Salaam, either via the north or TAZARA.

Transshipment hub

Since 1998, a transshipment station has been provided to overcome the break-of-gauge at this location. This hub connects the large zone of southern Africa and bypasses congestion at Dar es Salaam. Under a deal with Tanzania, metre gauge trains that connect with trains at Kidatu are operated by the Trans Africa Railway Corporation. Approximately 160,000 t of traffic passes through the hub each year.

Industry

Kidatu has a sugar mill.