Tazara’s $1.4bn rehabilitation set to begin following Zambia-China talks

Lusaka. The rehabilitation of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority is scheduled to commence shortly.

This announcement follows a high-level meeting between the Zambian government and the China Railway Construction Corporation.

Zambia’s Transport and Logistics minister, Frank Tayali, confirmed that citizens are eager for the project to begin.

This anticipation has grown steadily since the groundbreaking ceremony held last year.

Mr Tayali met with Sun Liqiang, the Vice President of the China Railway Construction Corporation, to discuss the timeline.

He emphasised that the revitalisation of the railway remains a priority for the Zambian administration.

Once the infrastructure is fully upgraded, the cost of transporting heavy goods is expected to decrease significantly.

This improvement will provide a vital boost to the regional economy.

Mr Sun acknowledged the strategic importance of the partnership between Zambia and China.

He stated that his corporation is currently finishing the designs required to modernise the line.

These technical plans are essential for transforming the existing railway into a more efficient transport corridor.

The project is backed by a substantial investment agreement worth $1.4 billion.

This deal was signed by Zambia, Tanzania, and China on September 29, 2025.

It established the financial framework necessary for the complete overhaul of the Tazara network.

The official start of the project was marked by a ceremony on November 20, 2025.

President Hakainde Hichilema and Chinese Premier Li Qiang led the proceedings in Lusaka.

Their presence underscored the international significance of the railway link.

The upcoming works will focus on upgrading the tracks and improving overall service capacity.

These efforts aim to restore Tazara as a premier route for trade and logistics in Southern Africa.