Talks between Zambia Railways, the Zambian government, and the European Union to fund repairs of the railway line connecting Ndola, on the Copperbelt, and the central town of Kapiri Mposhi are at an advanced stage, according to Zambia Railways Managing Director, Cuthbert Malindi.
Kapiri Mposhi is the starting point in Zambia for the Tanzania-Zambia Railway. Malindi revealed that the discussions are expected to conclude in the coming months, with plans to begin repairs in the first quarter of 2026. He noted that the European Union is expected to contribute between 50 and 60 million Euros toward the repair costs.
The second phase of the rehabilitation will involve restoring the country’s main railway line, stretching from Livingstone, on the border with Zimbabwe, to Chililabombwe on the Copperbelt, which borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Malindi expressed optimism that the railway infrastructure will be revitalised within the next three years, with strong government support. He stated that Zambia Railways requires around US$450 million to operate efficiently, covering the acquisition of new locomotives and wagons, as well as repairs to existing rail lines.
Appointed as managing director in January this year, Malindi lamented that the company currently lacks sufficient rolling stock to meet market demand, a situation worsened by outdated infrastructure.
To function effectively, Zambia Railways needs between 20 and 32 locomotives, yet only six are currently operational, two owned by the company and the remainder leased. At present, Zambia Railways operates 875 wagons but requires about 2500 to reach optimal performance.
Due to the ageing infrastructure, the company has been forced to reduce train speeds to 20 kilometres per hour, far below the ideal 50 to 70 kilometres per hour. Malindi attributed this condition to years of underinvestment in rail maintenance and upgrades, which left the company unable to keep its tracks in proper working order.
The company operates just two trains per week on the Chililabombwe–Livingstone route, and Malindi acknowledged that the passenger service remains more of a social obligation than a profitable venture. In contrast, the freight business offers greater potential for revenue generation.
Malindi emphasised that the government of President Hakainde Hichilema, which assumed office in August 2021, has shown a strong commitment to investing in the rehabilitation of railway infrastructure. While the government focuses on infrastructure upgrades, Zambia Railways plans to improve its rolling stock.
As part of its operational strategy, the company intends to lease an additional 10 locomotives over the next six months, bringing its total closer to 30, enabling it to operate more effectively.
Malindi noted that Zambia Railways holds a unique market position due to consistent demand for bulk cargo transportation. The government is targeting an annual production of three million metric tonnes of copper over the next decade. Zambia Railways has set a goal to transport 900,000 metric tonnes of cargo in 2025, although Malindi admitted this target may not be fully achieved.
By law, 30% of all bulk cargo in Zambia must be transported by rail. Malindi estimated this represents about 22 million metric tonnes of domestic cargo and an additional 10 million tonnes of export cargo annually.
Zambia Railways’ current line has a capacity of six million tonnes. Malindi stressed that the infrastructure capacity exists, and the company primarily needs to improve its rolling stock to take advantage of cargo opportunities in both domestic and export markets.
The company has launched a strategic business plan covering 2024 to 2028, aimed at recapitalising its operations. It is in funding discussions with institutions such as the European Union, the African Development Bank, and the Development Bank of Southern Africa. Zambia Railways is also actively seeking private-sector partnerships.
Malindi highlighted the success of one such partnership on the Ndola–Sakania railway, which leads to the DRC border and is currently the company’s most profitable route.
Written for Railways Africa by Chamwe Kaira
