LUSAKA, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- The revitalization of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) should be viewed not merely as the rehabilitation of a transport corridor, but as a blueprint for creating a "belt of prosperity," given the wide-ranging economic benefits expected to follow, a Zambian expert has said.
Fredrick Mutesa, a development expert and secretary general of the Zambia-China Friendship Association, told Xinhua on Thursday that the revival of TAZARA is crucial for promoting regional connectivity, stimulating economic activity along its route, and advancing Zambia's broader development objectives.
He noted that the project goes beyond improving links between Zambia and Tanzania, as the railway is also expected to integrate with other regional transport corridors and complement existing routes.
According to Mutesa, a modernized TAZARA will attract investment into activities beyond transport, fostering economic growth in communities along the line. The development of dry ports, logistics hubs, and more efficient transport systems, he said, would boost sectors such as agriculture by improving farmers' access to markets.
"This will go a long way toward creating employment and boosting incomes, thereby reducing poverty levels," he said, adding that higher earnings would enhance the welfare of people working in the agricultural sector.
Mutesa also said improved rail connectivity would enhance Zambia's trade efficiency, particularly for bulk commodities. Much of the country's copper exports, destined for global markets, including China, are currently transported by road, which increases costs and transit times.
A revitalized TAZARA railway, he said, would cut logistics costs and speed up deliveries, strengthening Zambia's competitiveness in international trade. It would also deepen the country's trade links with the Far East and further anchor it within the Belt and Road Initiative.
Mutesa expressed confidence in the project's success, citing strong political commitment and the concession of the railway to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, which has been contracted to rehabilitate and operate the line for several years. He added that the firm is expected to build local capacity so Zambian staff can eventually manage the railway on a sustainable and profitable basis.
In September 2025, China, Zambia, and Tanzania signed a landmark 1.4-billion-U.S.-dollar agreement to revive the TAZARA railway, covering track rehabilitation and the procurement of new locomotives, coaches, and wagons.
The 1,860-km railway, connecting Zambia's New Kapiri Mposhi to Tanzania's port city of Dar es Salaam, was originally built by China in the 1970s to facilitate regional trade, including copper exports and fuel imports through Tanzania. ■
