Zambia is embarking on a transformative infrastructure project aimed at revitalizing its mining export capabilities through a $1.4 billion upgrade of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) line.
This initiative, backed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), seeks to modernize the 1,860-kilometer railway connecting Zambia’s Copperbelt to Tanzania’s port of Dar es Salaam, thereby enhancing the country’s position in the global minerals market.
The TAZARA railway, originally constructed in the 1970s with Chinese assistance, has long been a critical conduit for Zambia’s copper exports. However, decades of underinvestment have led to operational inefficiencies, limiting its capacity to support the nation’s mining sector effectively.
The current upgrade plan includes a $1 billion investment in track rehabilitation and an additional $400 million allocated for procuring 32 new locomotives and 762 freight wagons.
Under the terms of the agreement, CCECC will operate the railway for 30 years, with the first three years dedicated to construction and rehabilitation, followed by 27 years of full-scale operations. This public-private partnership model reflects China’s evolving approach to infrastructure development in Africa, emphasizing long-term collaboration and operational sustainability.
The modernization of TAZARA is expected to significantly enhance Zambia’s export efficiency, particularly for copper and cobalt, which constitute a substantial portion of the country’s export earnings.
By improving the reliability and capacity of the railway, Zambia aims to reduce transportation costs and transit times, thereby increasing the competitiveness of its mining sector on the global stage.
This development occurs amidst intensifying global competition for access to Africa’s critical minerals. The United States, for instance, has invested in the Lobito Corridor project, a railway initiative designed to connect Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to Angola’s Atlantic coast, providing an alternative route for mineral exports.
While the TAZARA upgrade promises substantial economic benefits, it also raises concerns regarding environmental management and regulatory oversight. In February 2025, a catastrophic failure of a tailings dam at a Chinese-owned copper mine in Zambia released approximately 50 million liters of toxic waste into the Kafue River, causing extensive ecological damage and affecting communities reliant on the river for water and agriculture.
As Zambia advances with the TAZARA modernization, ensuring stringent environmental safeguards and transparent governance will be crucial to maximizing the project’s benefits while mitigating potential risks. The success of this initiative could serve as a model for sustainable infrastructure development in the region, balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.
In summary, the China-backed upgrade of the TAZARA railway represents a significant step forward in Zambia’s efforts to bolster its mining exports and integrate more deeply into global supply chains. By addressing longstanding infrastructure challenges, the project holds the potential to unlock new economic opportunities and strengthen regional connectivity in Southern Africa.
