Tanzania and Zambia are inviting private investors to upgrade the Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) to meet the growing demand for freight transport. The governments are reviewing policies to enable public-private partnerships that will improve the 1,860-km railway line linking multiple countries in Southern Africa. A recent memorandum with China aims to enhance Tazara’s capacity for transporting goods and passengers, critical for trade through the Port of Dar es Salaam.
The governments of Tanzania and Zambia are actively pursuing private investors to support the upgrade of the Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) in response to an increasing demand for freight transport along the Southern Corridor. Transport Minister of Tanzania, Professor Makame Mbarawa, has indicated that the current legal framework and railway operating policies are undergoing review to facilitate public-private partnerships aimed at enhancing railway operations, specifically on the extensive 1,860-kilometer Tazara line which serves as a vital transport link for multiple countries, including Tanzania, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Angola, and Zimbabwe. In addition to improving operational efficiencies, Professor Mbarawa expressed a particular interest in attracting investment aimed at providing additional wagons and engines for the railway. The revitalization of Tazara is particularly significant for the Port of Dar es Salaam, which acts as a crucial entry point for goods destined for Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the DRC. In a collaborative effort, Tanzania, China, and Zambia recently entered into a memorandum of understanding in September to facilitate the upgrading of Tazara, aimed at increasing its capacity for both goods and passenger transportation. The only notable private entity currently operating on this railway is Rovos Rail, based in Pretoria, which has been running luxury tourist services between Cape Town, South Africa and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Rovos Rail has also incorporated Lobito in Angola into its travel itinerary, extending routes through South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania, and subsequently reaching Lubumbashi in the DRC via the Benguela Railway.
The Tazara railway, completed in the late 1970s, was originally constructed with Chinese assistance to enhance connectivity between Tanzania and Zambia. The railway spans 1,860 kilometers, linking Dar es Salaam to the Zambian city of Kapiri Mposhi, and serves as a strategic transit route for goods moving from the Indian Ocean into Central Africa. However, over the past few decades, Tazara has faced various challenges, including financial difficulties, outdated rolling stock, and declining freight volumes. Recent developments indicating a joint commitment by Tanzania, Zambia, and China to upgrade Tazara reflect an important step towards revitalizing this critical transport corridor, particularly in light of increasing trade demands within the Southern Corridor.
In conclusion, Tanzania and Zambia are seeking private investment to enhance the Tazara railway’s functionality and capacity amidst rising freight transport demands along the Southern Corridor. The memorandum of understanding between the three nations signifies a concerted effort to modernize the railway infrastructure, which is crucial for regional trade. By attracting private partners for equipment and operations, the governments aim to bolster the railway’s efficiency and its role as a vital economic link for Southern Africa.
Original Source: www.theeastafrican.co.ke
