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China, Zambia and Tanzania have concluded a US$1.4 billion agreement to modernise the Tanzania–Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) line, marking the most significant upgrade to the historic rail corridor in over four decades.
Originally built by China in the 1970s, the 1,860-kilometre railway remains a crucial transport link between the two countries, facilitating the swift movement of major exports including copper, fuel and other bulk commodities.
Under the new plan, the route will undergo a comprehensive overhaul, featuring new tracks, upgraded stations, improved tunnels and reinforced bridges. Officials say the project will dramatically increase efficiency and enhance the line’s long-term reliability.
Once rehabilitation is completed, TAZARA’s freight capacity is projected to jump from roughly 100,000 tonnes per year to an estimated 2.4 million tonnes — a transformation expected to bolster economic activity across the region.
Zambia continues to rank among Africa’s leading copper producers, while Tanzania remains the world’s sole source of tanzanite. The upgraded rail network is therefore seen as a strategic boost to bilateral trade and a catalyst for wider regional integration.
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