Faith Nyasuguta
China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) will invest over $1.4 billion to modernize the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) line, a crucial link connecting Zambia’s copper mines to Tanzania’s largest port in Dar es Salaam. The upgrade aims to improve trade, mining logistics, and reduce transportation costs.
TAZARA, built in the 1970s with Chinese funding under Mao Zedong, stretches 1,860 kilometers (1,160 miles) and serves as a vital route for exporting copper from landlocked Zambia to global markets. In recent years, the railway has fallen into disrepair, limiting its capacity and reliability.
The modernization project involves two key components: $1 billion for rehabilitating the railway tracks and $400 million to purchase 32 new locomotives and 762 wagons. These upgrades are expected to quadruple annual freight capacity to about 2 million tons, enhancing efficiency and cutting delays.
Bruno Ching’andu, Managing Director of TAZARA, stated that the concession decision followed a thorough assessment of the railway’s long-standing challenges. Negotiations are underway for a 30-year concession agreement, potentially giving CCECC operational control to ensure the railway’s sustainability.
For Zambia, the upgrade is a game-changer. It offers a reliable alternative to southern routes through South Africa, where logistical bottlenecks have delayed copper and cobalt shipments. The improved railway will not only streamline mining exports but also bolster trade relations between Tanzania and Zambia, fostering regional economic integration.
This development comes as the U.S. backs the competing Lobito Corridor, centered around an Angolan port. The two projects reflect growing geopolitical competition over Africa’s rich mineral resources, particularly copper, which is vital for green energy technologies.
The TAZARA upgrade also highlights China’s evolving investment strategy. Moving away from large sovereign loans, Beijing is increasingly pursuing public-private partnerships and equity investments, aiming for more sustainable infrastructure projects across Africa.
Once complete, the upgraded railway is expected to play a pivotal role in boosting economic growth in the region while further strengthening China’s influence on the continent. This marks the most significant upgrade to the railway since its construction, reaffirming China’s long-standing relationship with Africa.
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