As the need for freight transportation along the Southern Corridor increases, Tanzania and Zambia have joined forces to try to draw private investment to the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA). The 1,860-kilometer TAZARA railway, which was first built in the 1970s with substantial Chinese assistance, connects the copper belt in Zambia with the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Over time, the railway has grown to be an essential connection between Tanzania and Zambia as well as with other nations like Zimbabwe, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). But because of inefficiencies and a reduction in capacity brought on by antiquated infrastructure, governments are looking for funding to update the railway.
Professor Makame Mbarawa, Tanzania’s Minister of Transportation, emphasized that in order to support public-private partnerships (PPPs), they are presently examining laws and railway operation policies. They hope to facilitate private firms’ involvement in railway operations, particularly the TAZARA line, by implementing these legal changes. The goal of this project is to increase freight traffic along the Southern Corridor, which links Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam port with many landlocked nations. Prof. Mbarawa underlined that finding commercial partners who can supply the resources required to increase the railway’s capacity—such as more wagons and engines—is the top priority. The TAZARA railway could accommodate much more freight and meet the demands of both domestic and foreign businesses with modern machinery and more effective operations.
This railway upgrade aligns with Tanzania and Zambia’s broader vision of fostering economic growth through infrastructure development. The TAZARA line is not just a vital freight corridor; it also serves as a trade gateway for several neighboring countries. Dar es Salaam, in particular, is strategically positioned as a major port, enabling Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the DRC to access global markets. The revamp of TAZARA is expected to further strengthen Dar es Salaam’s role as a crucial transit hub in the region. Notably, China, which played a fundamental role in the original construction of the railway, continues to be involved in the project. In September, China and Zambia signed a memorandum of understanding to modernize the TAZARA railway, aiming to improve both freight and passenger transport capacity.
Many parties, including foreign investors and firms that specialize in railway management, have taken notice of the need for better infrastructure. The Pretoria-based Rovos Rail, which runs a posh tourist train service from Cape Town, South Africa, to Dar es Salaam, is one of the few private businesses that now use the TAZARA route. In order to create an annual cycle that links South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rovos Rail has extended its route to include Lobito in Angola on the Benguela Railway. This service shows how private operators can expand the railway’s use beyond freight and illustrates the possibilities for tourism along the route.
For Tanzania and Zambia, attracting more private companies like Rovos Rail would be a significant step toward unlocking the full economic potential of the TAZARA line. The partnership model could encourage other investors to explore opportunities in freight and passenger services, thereby creating a more sustainable operation. A rejuvenated TAZARA railway would serve as a catalyst for trade, reducing transit times and making the transport corridor more competitive. As the governments of Tanzania and Zambia move forward with policy changes to encourage investment, the involvement of private stakeholders could be pivotal in transforming the TAZARA railway into a modern, efficient, and economically viable transport solution for East and Southern Africa.
