A new chapter is set to open for the historic Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority, TAZARA, amid plans for major upgrading. The railway, which has been a vital artery connecting Zambia to the Tanzanian coast, is to receive substantial investment from a Chinese concessionaire.
This was announced by TAZARA’s Managing Director, Bruno Ching’andu, during a visit by the Ministry of Information and Media Director Spokesperson, Henry Kapata. This investment, meant to revitalize this railway company established in 1975, demonstrates the commitment of both Tanzania and Zambia toward enhancing trade and economic cooperation.
Equally, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and his Tanzanian counterpart, Samia Suluhu Hassan, have been driving this ambitious project. This upgrade will help unlock TAZARA’s full potential in the economy of both nations.
Designed to haul millions of tons annually, TAZARA has been one of the main determinants in the economic development of Zambia. However, over time, the railway faced some major setbacks due to aging infrastructure and operational inefficiencies. The upgrade shall secure TAZARA’s future to make it more competitive and sustainable.
This investment by a Chinese concessionaire should include a wide-reaching rehabilitation process in the railway system, including track renewal, upgrade of signals, and improvement in the rolling stock. The upgrading of railroads will increase their efficiency, safety, and reliability in service delivery, thus making them more competitive to attract shippers and traders.
Improvement of TAZARA promises to have a colossal positive effect on the economies of both Zambia and Tanzania. Furthermore, with increased connectivity and reduced transportation cost, this railway route assuredly promises to increase trade and investment between the two countries. It will also create job opportunities and stimulate economic activities in the regions that TAZARA serves.
The project is also in line with the regional development goals of Southern Africa. Indeed, this up-grading will contribute to establishing a more integrated and wealthier region by improving the transport infrastructure that unites the two countries of Zambia and Tanzania.
This is a milestone investment by the Chinese concessionaire into TAZARA as the railway line prepares for its new era of growth and development. The railway could be transformed into an efficient, reliable, and sustainable asset for Zambia and Tanzania. With this newly tapped power of TAZARA, both countries could realize new opportunities in economic growth and prosperity.
