Dar es Salaam: The Government of Tanzania’s efforts to revitalise the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) have gained fresh momentum after senior officials from China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) reaffirmed their commitment to the project. The $1.4 billion investment is set to transform the historic railway into a more efficient and reliable transport corridor linking Tanzania and Zambia.
During a high-level visit in Dar es Salaam, CRCC Vice President Sun Liqiang toured the iconic Dar es Salaam Railway Station and travelled by train to Yombo Station to assess current operations. He emphasised that the TAZARA rehabilitation remains a top priority and expressed confidence that the project will be delivered within the agreed three-year timeframe.
Mr Sun noted that preparatory work is at an advanced stage, with survey and design teams nearing completion. “Final designs are almost ready, paving the way for full-scale rehabilitation works,” he said, signalling a transition from planning to implementation.
The CRCC delegation, accompanied by CCECC East Africa Managing Director Zhang Junle, was received by TAZARA Chief Executive Officer Bruno Chingandu and Regional General Manager (Tanzania) Fuad Abdallah. They were briefed on ongoing operations and expectations, highlighting strong cooperation between TAZARA and its concessionaire.
Under the agreement, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has secured a 30-year concession to rehabilitate and operate TAZARA. Engineering teams are already conducting technical audits of tracks, bridges, culverts, signalling systems and other critical infrastructure to prioritise areas requiring urgent intervention.
Despite recent operational challenges, including ageing infrastructure and limited rolling stock, the government says the project marks a turning point. Once completed, the revitalisation is expected to significantly boost freight capacity, reduce transport costs, and strengthen regional trade, reaffirming TAZARA’s strategic role as a key economic corridor in Southern and Eastern Africa.