Progress on TAZARA Corridor Deal Expected as Zambia Eyes Railway Expansion
The Zambian government anticipates finalizing a commercialization agreement for the TAZARA (Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority) corridor by the second quarter of 2024, Transport Minister Frank Tayali revealed.
A joint technical working group involving Zambia, Tanzania, and China is actively exploring avenues to advance this agreement, focusing on bolstering the corridor’s operations.
Minister Tayali affirmed that both Tanzania and Zambia are aligned in welcoming China’s involvement in managing the TAZARA corridor.
The recent discussions during President Hakainde Hichilema’s visit to China also encompassed strategies to enhance the corridor’s efficiency and commercial viability.
Highlighting further infrastructural endeavors, Tayali mentioned securing finances from the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) to conduct comprehensive feasibility studies for the Zambia-Lobito corridor. These studies, once completed, are poised to accelerate the corridor’s development pace significantly.
Moreover, Tayali disclosed ongoing efforts between Namibia and Zambia to procure funding for extending their railway network. Feasibility studies for the Namibia-Zambia railway link, designed to facilitate cargo transportation from Zambia to Walvis Bay, have already been successfully conducted.
These initiatives underscore Zambia’s strategic focus on expanding and modernizing its transportation infrastructure, fostering regional connectivity and facilitating more efficient trade routes across Southern Africa.
SOURCE:znbc
