TAZARA Aiming for Modernisation and Expanded Connectivity Set to Participate in the SARA Conference
The Southern African Railway Association (SARA) is delighted to announce that the Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) will be participating in the upcoming Southern African Railway Conference.
The 1067mm-gauge railway line of TAZARA allows interoperability with various Southern African railways. This connection plays a vital role in cargo transportation throughout the Southern, Eastern, and Central African regions, tying major railway networks together. This wide-ranging network bolsters the regional trade of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and also provides a global trade gateway through the port of Dar es Salaam.
With multiple cargo terminals, TAZARA ensures efficient loading and unloading of cargo. New Kapiri Mposhi, Kasama, Mbeya, and Makambako each serve distinct regions. Additionally, a privately-owned trans-shipment facility at Kidatu further facilitates cargo transfer between TAZARA’s wagons and those of the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC), bolstering interconnectivity among Southern, Central, and East Africa.
Managing Director of TAZARA, Eng. Bruno Tandeo Ching’andu, highlights the challenges the railway line has faced over the years, primarily due to a lack of recapitalisation. A proposed $558 million recapitalisation project was approved by the board but is awaiting the potential formation of a public-private partnership (PPP) to help fund essential equipment for the revitalisation of TAZARA.
Eng. Ching’andu and his team are eager to attend the upcoming SARA conference and exhibition to connect with local and international suppliers. There are ambitious plans to align with newer technologies and engage with equipment suppliers that can help elevate TAZARA’s operations.
The conference will address crucial regional transportation issues such as the overwhelming presence of trucks on the roads across East Africa. With the increasing production of copper in Zambia and Congo, the question of how to transport the additional volume arises. Insufficient road infrastructure points towards rail as the answer, but governments must prioritise the rehabilitation and modernisation of the railway industry.
Eng. Ching’andu concludes, “TAZARA’s participation in the SARA conference underscores its commitment to improving its rail freight and passenger services, enhancing operational capacity, and building robust partnerships. We are optimistic about the future and dedicated to playing our part in improving the overall rail transportation landscape in the Southern, Eastern, and Central African regions.”
To find out how to best position your business and engage with the TAZARA team at the upcoming SARA Conference and Exhibition, please be in touch with our events team via our website: https://www.sararailconference...
