| Official Name: | Kidatu, Tanzania |
| Pushpin Map: | Tanzania |
| Pushpin Mapsize: | 300 |
| Pushpin Label Position: | bottom |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Tanzania |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Morogoro Region |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Kilombero District |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Coordinates: | -7.7°N 36.95°W |
| Utc Offset: | +3 |
| Elevation M: | 294 |
| Blank Name: | Climate |
| Blank Info: | Aw |
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 of sugar per year.[1]
It lies on plains to the south of mountains to the north.
Kidatu is the terminus of a narrow gauge branch line from Kilosa off the Tanzania Railways Corporation Central line, built between 1958 and 1963..[2] In the 1970s, the newer TAZARA railway was built through.
Hence there is a break of gauge at Kidatu.
It is about from Dar es Salaam, either via the north or TAZARA.
Since 1998, a transshipment station has been provided to overcome the break-of-gauge at this location.[3] 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.[4] [5]
Approximately of traffic passes through the hub each year.
Kidatu has a sugar mill.[6]