Passengers opting for train travel and cargo transportation in Tanzania are poised to benefit from expanded options as plans are underway for a major facelift and operational recovery of the country’s long-standing TAZARA single-track railway.
Also known as the “Uhuru Railway” or the “Tanzam Railway,” TAZARA is a railway line in East Africa linking the port of Dar es Salaam in eastern Tanzania with the town of Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia’s Central Province.
The 1,860-kilometre (1,160-mile) railway line is operated by the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA).
On October 15, 2026, the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) Board of Directors convened in Dar es Salaam for a crucial meeting to deliberate on key issues and make decisions aimed at restoring the railway line to full operational capacity.
During the meeting, the TAZARA board members approved a five-year strategic plan for 2026/2027–2030/2031, targeting the restoration of operational efficiency, an estimated investment of US$207.57 million, and a net profit of approximately US$11.71 million by the end of the plan period.
The strategic plan integrates TAZARA’s operational recovery with the implementation of the Operating Concession Agreement, marking a major step towards revitalising the railway and strengthening its financial sustainability.
The investment projections include government grants amounting to US$62.04 million during the first three years of the plan, alongside US$36 million in funding from the concessionaire during the final two years.
This financing arrangement signals a gradual shift away from reliance on government support towards revenue generation and concession-related funding.
Key priorities under the plan include rehabilitating railway infrastructure, replacing equipment and rolling stock, expanding the market, adopting digital systems and strengthening institutional capacity to manage responsibilities that will remain under TAZARA following the implementation of the concession agreement.
The decisions were reached during the authority’s 123rd Board meeting, held at TAZARA headquarters in Dar es Salaam, to review progress in the railway revival process, operational performance and the financing of services during the transition to the implementation of the concession agreement.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Prof. Godius Kahyarara, and Zambia’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, Eng. Fredrick Mwalusaka.
Among the key issues discussed was the implementation of the operating concession agreement between TAZARA and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), which provides for an investment of US$1.4 billion to revive the railway.
The Board also reviewed outstanding conditions that must be fulfilled before the agreement becomes fully operational, as well as measures to safeguard railway assets and ensure the continued provision of services during the transition period.
Recognising TAZARA’s declining operational performance in recent years, the Board emphasised that the railway revival process presents a significant opportunity to transform the authority. It called for effective implementation of the planned reforms to meet the expectations of citizens and the business community.
The recovery is expected to benefit from increased cargo volumes through the Port of Dar es Salaam and the transportation of minerals from Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
As a result, TAZARA’s annual operating revenue is projected to reach US$30.23 million by the 2030/2031 financial year, supporting the authority’s broader objective of restoring efficiency, improving financial performance and building a more sustainable railway operation.