Railways
ZAMBIA RAILWAYS KEY FIGURES
| TAZARA Concession | TAZARA Track Length | Lobito Railway | Concession Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD 1.4 billion | 1,800+ km | Feasibility study drafted | 31 years |
Zambia is developing two rail corridors in opposite directions: the USD 1.4 billion TAZARA Revitalisation Agreement running east to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, and the Zambia-Lobito Railway Project running west to the port of Lobito in Angola, positioning the country as a transport hub connecting Africa’s east and west coasts.
China Civil Engineering Construction Company holds a 31-year freight concession to rehabilitate more than 1,800 kilometres of TAZARA track, while the Lobito project has completed its first feasibility study draft, with environmental and social studies, contractor selection and capital raising underway.
TAZARA: The Eastern Corridor
Zambia, Tanzania and China signed a USD 1.4 billion TAZARA Revitalisation Agreement on September 29, 2025, under which China Civil Engineering Construction Company will rehabilitate more than 1,800 kilometres of rail track running from New Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania[1]. The concession runs 31 years and covers only the freight side of TAZARA; the passenger operation remains with the Zambian government, and the concessionaire pays a fixed fee of USD 15 million annually plus 2% of gross freight revenue[1].
Lobito: The Western Corridor
Zambia has also signed a concession agreement for the Zambia-Lobito Railway Project, which will connect Zambia to the port of Lobito in Angola[2]. The first draft of the feasibility study has been completed, and environmental and social studies, contractor selection and capital raising are underway[2].
Government Framing
The 2026 Budget Speech framed the two projects together as making Zambia’s ambition of being a transport hub connecting the east and west coasts of Africa a reality within a few years, enabling efficient transportation of minerals, agricultural products, other essential goods and passengers[2].
Investment Opportunities
The TAZARA concession’s structure, a single USD 1.4 billion, 31-year freight concession on a line that has operated below capacity for years, illustrates the scale of opportunity already committed on the eastern corridor, while the Lobito project’s earlier stage, still raising capital and selecting a contractor, represents a west-coast opportunity yet to be fully allocated, detailed further on the dedicated Transport page[1][2].
Last Update: September 2026
