By Ollus Ndomu
China is set to spearhead efforts to revitalize the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway, with both Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema confirming their commitment during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing.
The railway, originally built between 1970 and 1975 with an interest-free loan from China, serves as a critical cargo transport route from Zambia’s copper and cobalt mines to Tanzania’s coast, bypassing South Africa and former Rhodesia.
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized China’s readiness to seize the summit as an opportunity to modernize the single-track TAZARA railway and improve the rail-sea intermodal transport network in East Africa.
Xi highlighted plans to develop Tanzania as a key hub for deepening China-Africa Belt and Road cooperation, focusing on high-quality infrastructure projects aimed at boosting trade and connectivity across the region.
The announcement follows the World Bank’s $270 million financing package approved earlier this year to enhance connectivity between Tanzania and Zambia.
In February, China proposed a $1 billion investment to rehabilitate the rail line under a public-private partnership model, further solidifying its long-term commitment to improving regional trade infrastructure in East Africa.
The revitalization project is expected to enhance the efficiency of cargo movement, benefiting Zambia’s mining sector and regional trade in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
