H

THE PROJECT HERALD
The Intelligence Ledger of
Projects, Capital, Companies and Policy

TAZARA Railway Modernisation — Tanzania–Zambia ($1.4bn)

Country
Tanzania; Zambia
Sector
Infrastructure
Intelligence Type
Project
Status / Stage
Proposed
Estimated Value
USD Billion 1.4
Confidence
Reported

Tanzania and Zambia have agreed a $1.4bn modernisation of the 1,860km TAZARA railway connecting Zambia’s Copperbelt to Dar es Salaam Port. Built by China in the 1970s, TAZARA is strategically critical for Zambia’s mineral exports but has been loss-making for decades.

Project Details

Project TypeRailway rehabilitation and modernisation
Project OwnerTAZARA Authority
Current PhaseFeasibility
Funding StatusUnder Discussion

Key Issues / Risks

TAZARA has been loss-making for decades. Competes with Central Corridor SGR for same mineral traffic.

Latest Development (Detail)

Modernisation agreement reported July 2026.

What Happens Next

Financing close and EPC award.

Commercial Opportunity

Second mineral export route from Zambia to Indian Ocean — redundancy alongside Lobito Corridor.

Commercial Opportunity Intelligence

Commercial ReadinessEarly

Source & Verification Trail

Last VerifiedAugust 2026
Source(s)East Africa Infrastructure Boom July 8 2026; Knowafrika.com; Railway Africa
Source DateJuly 2026