China is making major moves in Africa and this time, China, Tanzania, and Zambia have signed a historic agreement to breathe new life into a decades-old railway that has played a key role in East Africa’s transportation system for years.
The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway was built between 1970 and 1975, this 1,860 km stretch of single-track railway was funded by an interest-free loan from China. Back then, it was more than just a transportation project; it was a symbol of solidarity between China and Africa, bypassing colonial powers like South Africa and the then-Rhodesia. Despite being labeled the “bamboo railway” by skeptical Western governments, it became a vital cargo route for Zambia’s copper and cobalt mines.
President Xi Jinping is making it clear that China is ready to invest in Africa once again. During the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, Xi witnessed the signing of a new memorandum of understanding with the Tanzanian and Zambian presidents to refurbish the TAZARA railway in a lot bid to improve rail-sea transportation across resource-rich East Africa and make Tanzania a showcase for high-quality China-Africa Belt and Road cooperation.
“China is willing to take this summit as an opportunity to make new progress in the revitalisation of the Tanzania-Zambia railway, cooperate to improve the rail-sea intermodal transport network in East Africa, and build Tanzania into a demonstration zone for deepening high-quality China-Africa Belt and Road cooperation,” said Xi, according to state media.
The revitalization of TAZARA means better connectivity between Tanzania and Zambia, which could boost regional trade and improve the economy for both nations. With the World Bank already approving $270 million earlier this year to improve connectivity between the two countries, and China proposing to spend $1 billion on the railway’s rehabilitation, the stakes are high.
The multi-year project is set to bring together thousands of workers, just like it did decades ago, to build tunnels, bridges, and everything in between. For China, it’s another step in solidifying its presence in Africa. For Tanzania and Zambia, it’s a chance to reignite a crucial piece of infrastructure that could open doors for more trade, development, and growth.
This collaboration is more than just a business deal—it’s a testament to the enduring partnership between China and Africa. As we watch this project unfold, it’ll be interesting to see how it shapes the future of East African trade and the global economy.
