EU Commits €50 Million to Rehabilitate Zambia’s Livingstone–Ndola Railway
EU Funds Livingstone–Ndola Railway Rehabilitation to Boost Zambia’s Regional Trade and Mining Logistics
The European Union has committed €50 million to rehabilitate the railway line from Livingstone to Ndola, a major investment expected to strengthen regional trade corridors and reduce transport costs across Zambia and Southern Africa.
The announcement followed a tour of the Ngwerere–Lusaka rail section by European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela, who reiterated the EU’s long-standing support for Africa’s infrastructure development agenda.
“Modernising Zambia’s logistics infrastructure will strengthen not only the country’s economy but also Europe’s global trade partnerships,” said Karl Nehammer, Vice President of the European Investment Bank.
Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali welcomed the funding, calling the railway rehabilitation a key driver of economic transformation.
“This project will lower the cost of doing business, improve our competitiveness, and ease the burden on our road network,” Mr Tayali said.
The initiative is expected to enhance Zambia’s position as a strategic logistics hub in Southern Africa, improving the efficiency of cross-border trade and the movement of goods throughout the region.
Emmanuel Hachipuka, Board Chairperson of Zambia Railways Limited, stressed the need for urgent interventions to restore operational efficiency across the country’s rail network.
“We need deliberate measures to restore efficiency and bring our railways back to their former glory,” Mr Hachipuka stated.
The Livingstone–Ndola line is one of Zambia’s most critical freight corridors, and its rehabilitation is seen as vital to supporting the mining sector and driving broader economic growth.
