TAZARA Set for USD 1.4 Billion Revamp Backed by China
The revitalisation of the Tanzania–Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has officially begun, following a groundbreaking ceremony led by Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
The event brought together delegations from Zambia, Tanzania and China, highlighting the project’s regional importance.
The USD 1.4 billion revitalisation will be undertaken by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) — the original builder of TAZARA — under a 30-year concession agreement. The upgrade aims to transform TAZARA into a more efficient and reliable transport corridor for the region.
President Hichilema reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic partnerships within Africa and beyond. He noted that the signing of the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding marked a historic moment for both Zambia and Tanzania, and thanked all leaders and negotiators involved in advancing the project.
He emphasised TAZARA’s importance as an economic lifeline for imports and exports, and highlighted the growing trade volumes driven by Chinese investment, joint ventures, capital and technology.
President Hichilema also stressed the strategic role of Kapiri Mposhi District, which will host both the terminal and dry port, urging local communities, including those along the Lobito Corridor, to safeguard the infrastructure.
Premier Li Qiang reaffirmed the enduring five-decade friendship between China and Zambia, describing TAZARA as a signature project ushering in a new era of development for both Zambia and Tanzania.
He pledged China’s commitment to high-quality work and support throughout the revitalisation, noting that the project would help develop industrial parks, special economic zones and new hubs for economic growth along the railway.
Representing Tanzania, Vice President Emmanuel John Nchimbi, speaking on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, said the project is not merely an infrastructure upgrade but a renewal of a “sacred commitment.”
He highlighted its significance in strengthening central and southern transport corridors, boosting regional trade in Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the wider SADC region. The project is expected to support agriculture, mining, industry, tourism, and create thousands of jobs.
TAZARA, originally constructed in the 1970s with Chinese support, has long been a symbol of regional cooperation. The 2024 MoU for its concession and revitalisation was signed during the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, witnessed by Presidents Hichilema, Samia Suluhu Hassan and Xi Jinping.
