The China Civil Engineering Construction Corp (CCECC) is investing over $1.4 billion to modernize the TAZARA railway line connecting Zambia’s copper mines to Tanzania’s main port. This project aims to rehabilitate rail tracks and acquire new locomotives and wagons, thereby enhancing trade and logistics while reducing costs. Negotiations for a 30-year concession are ongoing, with the investment poised to significantly improve transportation efficiency in the region.
The China Civil Engineering Construction Corp (CCECC) is set to invest over $1.4 billion to modernize the TAZARA railway line, which connects Zambia’s copper mines to the largest port in Tanzania. The initiative aims to rehabilitate deteriorating rail tracks, as well as procure new locomotives and wagons. This investment is expected to enhance trade, improve logistic capabilities for the mining sector, and lower transportation costs significantly.
TAZARA is recognized as a vital transportation route for exporting copper from Central Africa, providing an alternative to the logistical challenges faced in South Africa. Ongoing negotiations are in place for a 30-year concession regarding the operation of the line, as stated by Bruno Ching’andu, the managing director of TAZARA.
Bruno Ching’andu expressed, “The decision to grant a concession follows an in-depth evaluation of TAZARA’s challenges over the years, which necessitated urgent intervention.” The partnership among the governments of Tanzania and Zambia, along with the state-owned CCECC, is focused on restoring the railway infrastructure that has significantly deteriorated over time.
The investment plan allocates $1 billion specifically for the complete rehabilitation of TAZARA’s rail tracks, and an additional $400 million is designated for the acquisition of 32 new locomotives and 762 wagons. TAZARA officials have indicated that this modernization will bolster trade relations between the two nations, streamline logistics for the mining industry, and reduce transport costs for both businesses and passengers.
Furthermore, this development occurs concurrently with the United States supporting an alternative transport corridor for minerals named the Lobito corridor, which centers around an Angolan port. In 2023, the nations of China, Tanzania, and Zambia formalized a memorandum of understanding to revitalize the railway, which spans 1,860 kilometers (1,160 miles), initially constructed with funding from Mao Zedong’s China in the 1970s. This refurbishment represents the most substantial upgrade to TAZARA since its original construction.
The planned modernization of the TAZARA railway line by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corp represents a significant investment aimed at revitalizing a crucial trade route. With a focus on rehabilitating infrastructure and improving logistics, this initiative is poised to enhance trade between Zambia and Tanzania, while simultaneously addressing operational challenges. The collaboration between the governments and CCECC underscores a mutual commitment to restoring this historic railway, optimizing transportation for both goods and passengers.
Original Source: africa.businessinsider.com
