TAZARA to undergo major facelift with $1.4 billion investment

KITWE, ZAMBIA: The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has announced a major 1.4 billion US Dollars investment to overhaul its infrastructure and operations, marking a new chapter for the aging rail system.

The deal, set to be executed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), was revealed Thursday by TAZARA Managing Director and CEO Eng. Bruno Ching’andu at the Zambia International Mining and Energy Conference (ZIMEC) in Kitwe.

Speaking to a crowd of investors and industry experts, Ching’andu outlined the key elements of the investment, which aims to restore TAZARA’s efficiency and capacity.

He said, “though negotiations were still finalizing, the deal would be carried out under a 30-year concession.”

The investment package includes 1 billion US dollars for the full rehabilitation of TAZARA’s rail tracks, as well as 400 million US dollars for the purchase of 32 new locomotives and 762 wagons.

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“The upgrades are expected to improve safety and significantly expand both passenger and freight capacity,” Eng. Ching’andu said in the press statement.

The rehabilitation work will begin within three years, with CCECC handling full operational management for the following 27 years. The agreement is expected to address the railway’s ongoing performance issues, which have hindered its role as a key transport route between Tanzania and Zambia.

“We are confident that this investment will set TAZARA on a path to greater efficiency, ensuring it remains a competitive and sustainable transport solution for the region,” Ching’andu said.

The 1.4 billion US dollars project also includes major overhauls and continuous maintenance over the 30-year period to ensure long-term sustainability. TAZARA officials have said the investment will strengthen trade between the two countries, improve logistics for the mining sector, and reduce transportation costs for both businesses and passengers.

The agreement is expected to be finalized soon, with TAZARA working closely with CCECC to ensure a smooth transition as the revitalization begins.