The Tanzania–Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) is set for a major turnaround as the governments of Tanzania and Zambia embark on an ambitious rehabilitation programme expected to return rail transport to the centre of regional logistics.
Tanzania’s Vice President, Ambassador Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi, said the overhaul would ease pressure on regional highways, reduce cargo transport costs and improve the reliability of long-distance freight operations.
Dr. Nchimbi made the remarks in Lusaka, where he represented President Samia Suluhu Hassan during the foundation-stone ceremony that marked the start of the large-scale upgrade.
He said the modernisation of the historic railway would not only revitalise trade between Tanzania and Zambia but would also improve the flow of goods to the Democratic Republic of Congo and other Southern African markets that depend on the Dar es Salaam Port.
He noted that the dominance of road transport in recent years has created congestion and raised the cost of moving heavy cargo across borders.
The TAZARA rehabilitation, he said, would restore a more balanced and efficient system by shifting bulk freight back onto the rails, where transport is cheaper, safer and more reliable over long distances.
According to him, businesses stand to benefit from smoother cargo movement, reduced delays and predictable logistics that are essential for the competitiveness of regional supply chains.
Dr. Nchimbi added that the railway upgrade complements wider investments by Tanzania to modernise its ports.
He pointed to the ongoing expansion of the Dar es Salaam Port, improvements in operational efficiency and the integration of TAZARA with the Standard Gauge Railway as steps geared toward creating a seamless transport corridor from the Indian Ocean to inland markets.
He said the ports of Tanga, Mtwara and Bagamoyo are also being strengthened to ensure the region has a modern mix of maritime and rail facilities capable of meeting the future demands of trade within SADC and beyond.
TAZARA, which stretches 1,860 kilometres from the Port of Dar es Salaam to New Kapiri-Mposhi, remains one of the most significant symbols of cooperation between Tanzania, Zambia and China.
The rehabilitation will rebuild the railway line, upgrade stations and communication systems and introduce a new fleet of locomotives, wagons and passenger services.
The improvements are expected to raise cargo capacity to more than two million tonnes annually within the first few years of renewed operations, signalling a strong return of rail as a competitive mode of transport in the region.
Dr. Nchimbi said the project also reflects the continued strength of trilateral cooperation between Tanzania, Zambia and China, noting that the revival of the Freedom Railway demonstrates how historic ties can evolve into modern development partnerships.
The launch was witnessed by Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and China’s Premier Li Qiang, a sign of high-level commitment to the success of the initiative.
The Vice President was accompanied by senior Tanzanian transport officials, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Prof. Godius Kahyarara; Tanzania’s Ambassador to Zambia, Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Matthew Mkingule; as well as leaders from the Tanzania Railways Corporation and TASAC.