By The Respondent reporter
The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) is set to undergo a major revival, as Chinese state-owned company China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC) moves closer to securing a 30-year concession agreement to manage its operations.
The planned takeover follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in September 2024, with final negotiations now underway.
Tanzania's Minister of Transport, Makame Mbarawa, updated parliament on November 7, noting that expert teams from Tanzania and Zambia are in Dar es Salaam to advance discussions on the concession terms.
“As I speak today, our team of experts from Tanzania and Zambia is in Dar es Salaam to discuss the concession agreement,” Mbarawa stated. “We believe that by next week, the teams from Tanzania and Zambia will meet with the Chinese team to finalize the concession discussion.”
Built in 1976 with Chinese support, the 1,860-kilometer Tazara railway has long stood as a symbol of China’s early diplomacy in Africa. However, declining infrastructure and reduced commercial viability have diminished its impact over recent decades.
Under CCECC’s management, Tazara is expected to receive substantial upgrades, with projections indicating a boost in rail efficiency and increased cargo capacity. Annual freight movement is set to jump from 500,000 metric tons to a target of 2 million metric tons.
This expanded capacity will further strengthen Tazara’s role in regional trade, particularly by facilitating the transport of critical minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia to the Indian Ocean.
The concession aligns with China’s broader interests in African infrastructure, allowing for a more efficient flow of resources essential to the global supply chain. Tazara’s revitalization promises to bring economic benefits to Tanzania and Zambia while reinforcing the railway's legacy as a strategic transport link in Southern Africa.
