Zambia is positioning itself as a transport hub for its neighbours, and the government is working towards improving infrastructure, including railways, roads, and airports.
The Minister of Transport and Logistics for Zambia, Frank Tayali, told the Land-Linked Zambia 2025 Conference that Zambia envisions its role in southern Africa as a facilitator for transport corridors and that is why the government is investing in logistics and transport infrastructures. He said these investments are meant to ensure that all of its connections to its neighbours are in good condition.
The corridors that Zambia has embraced include Central, Beira, Nacala, North-South, Walvis-Ndola-Lubumbashi, and the Lobito Corridor.
He said good infrastructure will promote efficiency, and that will reduce the cost of doing business. Tayali said close to 40% of any cost buildup of any product is owing to transportation costs, and said that is something that needs to be addressed.
Tayali said Zambia's economic growth lies in its potential to increase its internal economic growth and expand its ability to be a facilitator for its neighbours. He mentioned South Africa's biggest trading partner in SADC is the Democratic Republic of Congo, and this would not have been possible without Zambia’s facilitation at its Kasumbalesa border post.
He said there is a huge infrastructure gap that exists on the African continent, and Zambia in particular, and said that is why the donor community, including the European Commission, has continued to pledge its support and collaboration in infrastructure projects.
In the 2025 budget, Minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane, said the government will continue to invest in the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of road, rail, aviation, and maritime infrastructure.
He also announced that the government had signed a memorandum of understanding with the governments of China and Tanzania to rehabilitate and modernise the TAZARA infrastructure and equipment.
Once rehabilitated, tonnage on the railway line will increase to 2.5 million metric tonnes from the current half a million metric tonnes per annum. Musokotwane also disclosed that the government is working to revitalise the Zambia Railways system, with the ultimate goal of improving track speed, signalling, and securing funding for long-term investments. The government aims to accelerate the acquisition of additional grant financing for the long-term rehabilitation of the railway system from Chingola to Livingstone.
In addition, Musokotwane said the government is in discussion with cooperating partners for possible support with rail wagons and locomotives.
In terms of roads, he said the government, through the PPP mode, has signed seven projects with a total coverage of 838 kilometres.
Written by Chamwe Kaira
