With growing demand for freight transportation along the Southern Corridor, Tanzania and Zambia are actively seeking private investment to revitalize the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA).
The 1,860-kilometer railway, constructed in the 1970s with significant Chinese support, links Zambia’s Copperbelt region to Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam port.
Over the years, TAZARA has become a critical trade and transport lifeline for neighboring countries, including Zimbabwe, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
However, aging infrastructure and operational inefficiencies have diminished its capacity, prompting both governments to pursue modernization efforts.
Tanzania’s Minister of Transportation, Professor Makame Mbarawa, highlighted ongoing policy and legal reviews aimed at fostering public-private partnerships (PPPs).
These reforms are designed to enable private sector participation in TAZARA’s operations, with a focus on increasing freight capacity along the Southern Corridor.
Prof. Mbarawa emphasized the need for modern wagons, engines, and other critical infrastructure to unlock the railway’s full potential and meet the growing demands of domestic and international businesses.
The TAZARA railway plays a dual role as a vital freight corridor and a trade gateway for several landlocked nations.
Dar es Salaam, a key port, provides countries like Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the DRC with access to global markets.
A modernized TAZARA is expected to strengthen the port’s position as a regional transit hub, bolstering trade and economic growth.
China, a longstanding partner in the railway’s history, remains engaged in its redevelopment. In September, China and Zambia signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance TAZARA’s freight and passenger transport capabilities, further demonstrating the project’s strategic importance.
The need for infrastructure upgrades has garnered attention from international investors and railway management firms. Notably, Rovos Rail, a luxury train operator based in Pretoria, has already incorporated the TAZARA route into its operations.
Rovos Rail’s expanded network now connects South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, and Angola’s Lobito via the Benguela Railway, showcasing the railway’s potential beyond freight services.
This model highlights how private operators can diversify TAZARA’s uses, including tourism, to boost economic activity.
Attracting private stakeholders like Rovos Rail represents a significant step toward unlocking TAZARA’s economic potential.
Expanded private investment in freight and passenger services could lead to more sustainable operations, reduced transit times, and enhanced regional competitiveness.
A revitalized TAZARA railway would not only serve as a catalyst for trade and development but also position Tanzania and Zambia as leaders in East and Southern African transport solutions.
As both governments advance policy reforms to encourage investment, the collaboration between public and private sectors could prove transformative, turning TAZARA into a modern, efficient, and economically viable railway for the region.
