Zambia Railways would require seven years to construct a new railway line, according to Cornwell Muleya, Chief Executive Officer of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the state-owned entity that oversees Zambia Railways.
In a report presented to the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Muleya explained that the IDC was prioritising the rehabilitation of the existing railway line before commencing the construction of a new system, which could take approximately seven years to complete.
Zambia Railways is initially focusing on overhauling its current line, which presently operates at a speed of 15-20km/h. The first phase of the plan involves rehabilitating the line to prevent disruptions to the movement of goods. The second phase aims to upgrade the system to modern railway standards, enabling speeds of at least 100km/h for freight and 120km/h for passenger trains.
The IDC indicated that both projects would not be executed simultaneously on the same rail system, emphasising the need to construct a new line in parallel. The existing system has deteriorated to such an extent that patching is no longer a viable solution. The IDC estimates that Zambia Railways requires approximately US$1.75 billion for the rehabilitation process.
Muleya further stated that the recapitalisation of Zambia Railways is critical. In the current budget, the IDC has allocated K100 million to finance feasibility studies that will guide the company in initiating its restructuring journey and formulating a second-phase plan for its revitalisation.
The IDC noted that Zambia Railways requires significant investment not only to rehabilitate the line but also to restore supporting operations such as rolling stock maintenance, locomotive acquisition, and the modernisation of the industrial complex that sustains its operations. The company is pursuing partnerships with various local and international entities to raise the necessary funding.
Zambia Railways anticipates commencing the revamp of its rail infrastructure in 2026. The company has already announced plans to repair the railway line connecting Ndola, on the Copperbelt, and the central town of Kapiri Mposhi, the starting point in Zambia of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway.
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.
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.
Written by Chamwe Kaira for Railways Africa
