Tanzania and Zambia are seeking private investors to enhance the Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) due to increasing freight transport demand. The initiative, led by Transport Minister Professor Makame Mbarawa, involves reviewing operational policies to encourage public-private partnerships, with specific needs for wagons and engines. A trilateral memorandum of understanding for upgrade investment was signed by Tanzania, China, and Zambia, which is essential for the operational efficiency of the Dar es Salaam port, vital for regional trade.
Tanzania and Zambia are actively seeking private investors for the enhancement of the Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) in response to an increasing demand for freight transport along the Southern Corridor. To facilitate this initiative, Tanzania’s Transport Minister, Professor Makame Mbarawa, indicated that there will be a comprehensive review of existing laws and railway operational policies aimed at encouraging public-private partnerships for railway operations, particularly the expansive 1,860 km Tazara line. This line is integral to elevating cargo business within the transport corridor that connects Tanzania, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Angola, and Zimbabwe. Professor Mbarawa explicitly emphasized the need for prospective investors to provide essential operational assets such as wagons and engines. The revitalization of Tazara, which is partly funded by Chinese investments, is deemed critical for the efficacy of the Dar es Salaam port. This port serves as a pivotal gateway for trade with Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the DRC. In September, a memorandum of understanding was executed by representatives from Tanzania, China, and Zambia, aimed at upgrading the Tazara to augment its capacity for transporting both goods and passengers. Currently, the only private entity operating within the Tazara framework is Rovos Rail, a Pretoria-based company, which has been managing luxury tourist train services on the route from Cape Town, South Africa, to Dar es Salaam, incorporating destinations such as Lobito in Angola, Zimbabwe, along with Zambia, and further extending into Lubumbashi, DRC via the Benguela Railway.
The Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority, commonly referred to as Tazara, is a critical rail corridor in Southern Africa, established to facilitate freight and passenger movement between Tanzania and Zambia, extending links to neighboring nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, and Zimbabwe. The strategic importance of Tazara is underscored by its role in connecting landlocked countries to maritime ports, significantly enhancing trade and transportation opportunities. With increasing pressure on existing transport routes and ports due to growing economic activities, the need for modernization and private sector involvement has become imperative to meet freight demand and improve service reliability. Public-private partnerships are being considered as a viable solution to these challenges, particularly in light of infrastructural investments from China.
In conclusion, Tanzania and Zambia are making concerted efforts to attract private investment for the upgrade of the Tazara railway, recognizing its importance for regional trade connectivity. By revising relevant operational policies, the governments aim to enhance the railway’s efficiency in transporting goods and passengers amidst growing demand on the Southern Corridor. The planned upgrade, supported by international collaborations, is anticipated to bolster the logistic capabilities of the critical Dar es Salaam port and beyond, potentially transforming the economic landscape of the region.
Original Source: www.theeastafrican.co.ke
