- China commits to refurbishing TAZARA railway system during the just concluded FOCAC Summit in Beijing.
- China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC) has been awarded the tender.
- TAZARA capacity is now set to increase to two million metric tonnes.
TAZARA, a decades-old China-Tanzania railway that is vital in the East African country’s industry is set for modernization as a new pact to turn it into a fast train transportation system comes into force. Last week, a historic milestone was reached when Chinese President Xi Jinping, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to revitalize the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway.
The deal, which was reached at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit (FOCAC) in Beijing, will see China invest into developing the1,860-kilometer railway connecting landlocked Zambia to Tanzania’s port city of Dar es Salaam.
Work on this trans-Africa rail started in the 1970s as the most affordable mode of transport to ferry Zambia’s copper cargo destined for processing in overseas market Since then, the railway has become a lifeline to all three countries where it passes through, providing transportation for both people and huge volumes of cargo.
“China is willing to take this summit as an opportunity to make new progress in the revitalization of the Tanzania-Zambia railway, cooperate to improve the rail-sea intermodal transport network in East Africa, and build Tanzania into a demonstration zone for deepening high-quality China-Africa Belt and Road cooperation,” China’s President Xi said.
“Now that Africa’s economies are rapidly growing and global trade expanding, efficient transportation infrastructure is essential…by modernizing the railway, China and Africa aim to enhance regional connectivity, facilitate trade, and boost economic development,” he said.
Xi said the MoU also marks China’s efforts to help Tanzania become a “demonstration zone for deepening high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and African countries.”
TAZARA revamp in line with China’s investment goals in Africa
As per the press report that was released after the deal was signed, the revitalized TAZARA will serve as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction in the region. Additionally, the project will not only benefit Tanzania and Zambia, but also other landlocked African nations seeking access to international markets for their exports.
According to the report, TAZARA’s revitalization is inline with China’s commitment to sustainable development for Africa through investing in modern, environmentally friendly infrastructure. China said it is eager to support Africa to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and promote green growth.
“The MoU marks a significant step forward in strengthening the China-Africa partnership. It demonstrates China’s unwavering support for Africa’s development and its willingness to invest in projects that have both historical and strategic importance,” reads the report.
“As the TAZARA enters a new era, it offers a beacon of hope for a brighter future. The railway’s revitalization is not just about infrastructure; it is about strengthening ties, fostering prosperity, and building a more interconnected and sustainable world,” it says.
The single-track TAZARA railway was built through an interest-free loan from China, and as it did for copper, the railway now serves as key transportation for the much coveted cobalt been mined in Zambia.
Earlier this year, the World Bank approved $270 million in financing to improve connectivity between Tanzania and Zambia, and in February, China announced another $1 billion to rehabilitate the rail line.
Commenting on the MoU, Song Wei, a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said revitalization of the TAZARA railway holds a symbolic significance. “It is not only a historical testament to traditional China-Africa friendship, but also a key project in promoting regional connectivity in Africa.”
According to Professor Song, the TAZARA railway has played a crucial role to the economic development of all countries involved. However, he added, the railway has suffered poor management, and the infrastructure is also aging causing it to suffer reduced capacity over time.
The professor also suggested developing the TAZARA railway into a tourist project, which will serve as a pilot to “explore how to make the most of this infrastructure and continue to serve as a bridge for China-Africa friendship.”
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TAZARA’s tripartite meeting
As early as 2016, the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) Tripartite Meeting between the shareholding governments was held at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Center in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This brought together delegations of technical experts from the three states, and reviewed a report on the feasibility study conducted by the Third Railway Survey and Design Institute (TSDI) of China.
The meeting discussed challenges, experiences and future strategies to revitalize TAZARA that have now bore new fruit. At the meeting, the URT Chief Secretary Ambassador Eng. Kijazi commended China’s commitment to continue working with Africa and called for more qualified Chinese enterprises to “come and seize opportunities available in developing the countries’ infrastructure such as railways, roads, electricity transmission lines and irrigation channels.”
It was agreed that revamping TAZARA would also serve to reduce wear and tear of road infrastructure. Thanks to these efforts, on 4th September 2024, during the FOCAC in Beijing, this pivotal MoU for the concession of the TAZARA was signed.
The new MoU marks a significant step towards the concession of the railway. It will serve to catalyze the much-needed revitalization of the rail infrastructure and positioning TAZARA to achieve its full potential.
China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation
Following the signing of the MoU, negotiations are now underway out with the original builder of TAZARA, the China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC). This is one of China’s leading state-owned overseas engineering contracting enterprises, and it aims to finalize the concession agreement by the end of the year.
“Following the agreement, we anticipate that the rehabilitation of both infrastructure and rolling stock will take approximately two years,” CCECC reported.
According to the report, the concession will cover a period of up to 30 years during which it is expect that TAZARA’s operational capacity will increase substantially. “We project that annual tonnage will rise from the current combined average of 500,000 metric tonnes for all operators to approximately two million metric tons,” CCECC noted.
“This marks an exciting new chapter for TAZARA and we are enthusiastic about the railway’s transformation into a key driver of regional economic development, aligning with the aspirations of the people of both Tanzania and Zambia,” it said in the report.
