Zambia is preparing for a major milestone in regional transport and economic cooperation as President Hakainde Hichilema announced that Zambia, China, and Tanzania will soon sign key documents to officially launch the TAZARA revitalization programme during the upcoming visit of Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The signing will mark the formal commencement of a long-awaited upgrade of the Tanzania–Zambia Railway Authority line, a strategic corridor that has served as a symbol of friendship and economic partnership for decades.
Speaking at State House in Lusaka during a meeting with China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) Group Chairman Dai Hegen and his delegation, President Hichilema emphasised that the TAZARA Corridor holds enormous potential for Zambia. He noted that the modernisation of the railway is essential for unlocking new opportunities in mining, agriculture, energy, trade, and other sectors that depend heavily on efficient transport links.
President Hichilema described TAZARA as “more than a railway,” calling it an economic artery that was envisioned by Africa’s and China’s founding leaders—Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, Chairman Mao, and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. He noted that revitalising this shared infrastructure is not just about transport efficiency but about reviving a development vision that connects communities, enhances commerce and strengthens long-term cooperation among the partner countries.
He stressed that the upgraded railway will support Zambia’s efforts to tap into its rich natural resources, especially along the TAZARA Corridor, where improved transport could stimulate investment and expand economic activity. Hichilema urged for deeper collaboration between Zambia and China to maximise value from the corridor, describing it as an economic zone with potential far beyond its primary role as a transport route.
The President also highlighted the importance of the dry port in Kapiri Mposhi, which he said is critical to Zambia’s economic agenda. The port will be a central component of the rehabilitation efforts and is expected to enhance trade facilitation, reduce transit delays, and improve access to regional and international markets.
In addition to transport infrastructure, President Hichilema called on CRCC to prioritise investment in Zambia’s energy sector. He emphasized that reliable power generation will be essential to support the economic growth expected from the revitalised TAZARA line, as well as broader national development goals. He said Zambia is looking to deepen its cooperation with CRCC and its associated companies, particularly in the areas of electricity expansion and industrial support.
Responding to the President’s remarks, CRCC Chairman Dai Hegen reaffirmed Zambia’s importance to CRCC’s global operations. He noted that Zambia remains one of the company’s key overseas markets, with CRCC actively involved in building railways, roads, water systems, and other critical infrastructure nationwide. Dai also highlighted the historical connection between China and Zambia, recalling that CRCC’s subsidiary, the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), designed and built the original TAZARA railway in the 1970s.
He added that CRCC has completed more than 20 infrastructure projects in Zambia and has created over 6,000 jobs, demonstrating the company’s long-standing commitment to supporting Zambia’s development. The revitalisation of TAZARA, he said, represents the continuation of this partnership and the beginning of a new era in Zambia-China cooperation.
