The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) is pleased to announce the successful signing of a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the concession of TAZARA. This significant event took place on 4th September 2024 during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, China, and was witnessed by the Heads of State of China, Tanzania, and Zambia.
This MoU marks a crucial milestone in the journey towards concessioning the railway, which is expected to drive the revitalisation of our infrastructure and rolling stock. This initiative aims to unlock TAZARA’s full potential, enhancing its capacity and operational efficiency.
Active negotiations are underway with the China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC), a leading state-owned overseas engineering contracting enterprise in China and the original builder of TAZARA. The aim is to finalise the concession agreement by the end of the year.
Upon finalisation of the agreement, the rehabilitation of TAZARA’s infrastructure and rolling stock is expected to take approximately two years. The concession will extend for up to 30 years, during which TAZARA’s operational capacity is projected to increase significantly. It is anticipated that annual tonnage will grow from the current combined average of 500,000 metric tonnes to approximately 2 million metric tonnes.
This development marks an exciting new chapter for TAZARA, with the potential to transform the railway into a major driver of regional economic growth, aligning with the aspirations of the people of Tanzania and Zambia.
