Chinese President Xi Jinping, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema stood together on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, as officials signed a pivotal memorandum of understanding to revitalize the historic TAZARA railway. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
Tanzania, Zambia, and China have taken a major step toward enhancing East Africa’s transportation network by signing an initial agreement to rehabilitate the decades-old Tazara railway.
The deal was signed in Beijing on September 4, 2024, during the opening day of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema witnessing the event.
The proposed rehabilitation of the 1,860-kilometer Tazara railway, which links Zambia's Kapiri Mposhi to Dar es Salaam, will revitalize a key trade route that has been vital since its construction in the 1970s.
Financed by China, the railway was designed to free landlocked Zambia from economic dependence on white-minority-ruled territories such as Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and South Africa. Over 40 years later, the Tazara line remains a crucial artery for bulk trade from Zambia’s Copperbelt region to the Indian Ocean.
Although exact project costs and the financing structure remain undisclosed, China had earlier proposed a $1 billion rehabilitation effort through a public-private partnership. This plan, part of China's broader Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), seeks to improve both rail and sea transportation across East Africa, positioning Tanzania as a central hub in the regional trade network.
President Xi highlighted China’s commitment to advancing the Tazara project, viewing it as a cornerstone of high-quality cooperation between China and Africa under the BRI. "We aim to transform Tanzania into a model zone for our deepened partnership, improving the rail-sea intermodal network in East Africa," Xi stated, reaffirming China's long-term investment in the region's infrastructure.
The implications of the agreement are significant for both Tanzania and the broader East African region. The rehabilitation of Tazara is set to improve trade routes, enhance regional integration, and solidify Tanzania’s role as a key economic player in the region. Renowned East African economist Prof. Delphin Rwegasira pointed out that this modernization effort will be transformative for regional trade, reducing transportation costs and boosting the movement of goods between countries.
Dr. Donald Mmari, a leading expert in regional trade, highlighted that the project will likely attract substantial investments in infrastructure and logistics. He emphasized that both Tanzania and Zambia stand to see significant economic growth from the revival of Tazara, further strengthening their economic ties with China, which remains their largest trading partner.
Following the signing, Presidents Hassan and Xi held discussions at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, where they reaffirmed the importance of their nations' long-standing relationship. President Hassan focused on the need for continued investment in infrastructure, particularly in alignment with China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
In line with development economist Prof. Humphrey Moshi’s views, she encouraged Chinese private sector investors to explore opportunities in Tanzania, particularly in the areas of alternative energy production and infrastructure development. Prof. Moshi has long advocated for increased private sector involvement in large-scale infrastructure projects to ensure sustainable growth and long-term benefits for Tanzania.
In response, President Xi expressed China's willingness to deepen strategic ties with Tanzania, viewing the East African nation as a model of China-Africa cooperation. "Tanzania stands as a prime example of our successful relationship with Africa," Xi said, affirming China’s commitment to tangible outcomes that benefit citizens on both sides.
The discussions also touched on broader Sino-African relations, with President Hassan expressing confidence that FOCAC would yield concrete outcomes, particularly in the development of factories and the modernization of agriculture across Africa. These efforts aim to advance industrialization and improve the continent's self-sufficiency.
Tanzania’s ambassador to China, Mr. Khamis Mussa Omar, echoed these sentiments during an interview with CGTN, highlighting China’s role as Tanzania’s leading trading and investment partner. He noted that the historic relationship between the two nations, which began in the 1960s, has grown stronger, with the 2022 agreement between Presidents Hassan and Xi elevating their partnership to a comprehensive strategic level.
With this pivotal agreement, the future of the Tazara railway looks brighter, and Tanzania’s role as a key trade hub in East Africa is set to expand significantly. The revitalization of this critical infrastructure will not only strengthen Tanzania's economic prospects but also cement its strategic alliance with China and Zambia, positioning the region for greater growth and cooperation.