The Ministry of Transport and Logistics wishes to clarify misleading statements circulating in the public domain following the remarks made by Hon. MUSEBA FRANK TAYALI, MP, Minister of Transport and Logistics, at State House on the TAZARA Concession.
These remarks have been deliberately misrepresented by individuals whose motives are clearly aimed at derailing a transformative project with vast potential not only for Zambia but for the entire region.
Contrary to the misinformation being circulated, no employee currently working for TAZARA will lose employment. Approximately 200 to 300 employees will transition to employment under the Concessionaire, while the majority will remain under TAZARA’s employment. The Labour Movement within TAZARA is fully aware and has been engaged throughout the concession process to ensure that no worker is left behind. With increased operations expected under the Concessionaire, the demand for manpower is projected to rise, requiring even more workers over the first three years of operations.
Currently, TAZARA moves an average of 500,000 metric tonnes of freight annually. Under the new concession, this volume is expected to surge to 2.4 million metric tonnes within four years — a 600% increase, marking the largest capacity expansion in TAZARA’s history. Transit times from Kapiri Mposhi to Dar-es-Salaam will be reduced from 7–9 days to just 3–5 days, ensuring faster delivery of goods and enhanced trade efficiency.
This concession is a strategic upgrade, not a sell-out. It signifies a bold step in modernising one of the region’s most vital economic arteries. It will create thousands of jobs in operations, logistics, and maintenance; revitalise regional trade; and attract long-term investment into Zambia and the SADC region. Those peddling unfounded fears of “job losses” are either misinformed or deliberately misleading the public for personal or political reasons.
The New Dawn Government remains committed to protecting the rights and welfare of all workers; delivering transformational infrastructure projects; creating real, lasting employment across the Zambian economy; and promoting regional integration and boosting intra-African trade.
The Government urges the public to disregard misinformation and continue to support this historic opportunity to reshape our transport sector and strengthen Zambia’s position as a regional trade and logistics hub.
