Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema announced in parliament that negotiations for the concession agreement on the revitalisation of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) have been concluded.
China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) will invest more than US$1.4 billion under a 30-year concession arrangement with Tanzania and Zambia. The investment aims to upgrade TAZARA’s infrastructure and operations to improve efficiency and reliability.
TAZARA projects that annual tonnage will rise from the current combined average of 500,000 metric tons for all operators to approximately two million metric tons.
Zambia also plans to rehabilitate the railway line operated by Zambia Railways, acquire new cargo and passenger trains, and enhance operational efficiency. These measures are intended to create jobs, expand business opportunities and reduce road congestion. The government has identified the railway system as critical for strengthening regional transport links through the Lobito, Nacala, Beira and North-South corridors.
The government has continued to expand transport infrastructure through both public and private financing, particularly via Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).
The government has signed thirteen Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concession projects valued at over US$7.6 billion between 2022 and 2025.
The projects include the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway, Lobito Corridor Railway Line, the Chingola-Kasumbalesa Road and Kasumbalesa Border Post.
According to the 2026–2028 Medium Term Budget Plan, the government is expected to sign more PPP agreements in 2025, such as the TAZARA Project and the Mpongwe-Machiya Road Project.
In road infrastructure, projects in the Copperbelt province bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo include the completed Chingola-Kasumbalesa, Luanshya-Fisenge-Masangano and Kitwe-Chibuluma roads. Progress has also been made on the Ndola-Sakania, Ndola-Mufulira-Mokambo and Lusaka-Ndola dual carriageway projects.
The Great North Road from Chinsali to Nakonde, leading to Tanzania, is under rehabilitation, with some sections reaching 99 percent completion. Roads linking Zambia to Zimbabwe are being upgraded, including the Monze-Niko road to bituminous standard, while the Chipata-Chadiza road near the Malawi border is also being improved.
In air transport, the government has prioritised the rehabilitation, upgrading and construction of provincial and strategic airports. Kasama, Chipata, Mongu and Solwezi airports have been rehabilitated, while upgrades are underway at Mansa Airport and Mfuwe International Airport. Land has been identified for new airports in Choma, Chinsali and Nakonde.
The government’s objective is to transform provincial airports to international standards, positioning Zambia as a logistics hub in southern Africa while creating jobs and business opportunities.
Written by Chamwe Kaira for Railways Africa.
