China to bring Tanzania-Zambia railway back to full speed with US$1 billion boost

For Beijing, the Tanzania-Zambia railway is “a symbol of China-Africa friendship” – a must-visit stop on any diplomatic tour and China’s largest ever African foreign aid project.

But five decades after it was first built, Tazara, as it is known, has fallen into disrepair, underutilised with only 10 locomotives being used instead of its capacity of 50, and in financial despair.

Now Beijing is stepping in, pledging US$1 billion or more to refurbish the ageing railway.

The decision to help save Tazara, however, is being seen as a direct response to the US announcement of its own African railway infrastructure project, as it bankrolls the refurbishment of the Lobito Corridor between Angola and Zambia through the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Observers also say China is keen to get Tazara back to full speed to help transport its mining exports from Zambia and the DRC, as the race for critical minerals used in the production of electric vehicle batteries heats up between China, the European Union and the US.

Tazara has long held a special place for China. Built in the early 1970s, 160 workers lost their lives during its construction, including 69 Chinese nationals. Even now, visiting Chinese diplomats lay flowers at memorials to those who died.

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Китай Коммунальное хозяйство

Танзания-Замбия железнодорожный дорога танзания-замбия полный скорость увеличение $ млрд китайско-африканский железный