Chinese Copper Giants Back $1.2 Billion TAZARA Rail Upgrade in Africa

Tanzania Zambia Railway. Stock image.

Chinese mining and logistics firms are deepening their footprint in Africa’s critical minerals sector through a $1.24 billion upgrade of the TAZARA Railway, a vital corridor linking Zambia’s copperbelt to the Indian Ocean port of Dar es Salaam.

Strategic Partnership Driving the Project

Major copper producers CMOC Group Ltd. and Zijin Mining Group Co. have joined forces with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation to rehabilitate the 1,860 km railway line. CCECC will retain a controlling 80% stake in the joint venture, while smaller equity shares are held by Jiayou International Logistics Co., units of the mining firms, and COSCO Shipping Holdings Co..

Beyond infrastructure upgrades, the consortium plans to operate freight services along the line, investing in locomotives, containers, and logistics systems to improve efficiency.

Unlocking Copper Export Potential

The railway is a critical link for mineral exports from Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly from the Copperbelt.

Currently, much of the region’s copper is transported by road over long distances, increasing costs and causing congestion. Revamping TAZARA is expected to ease these bottlenecks, lower transport costs, and significantly improve export efficiency.

Geopolitical Competition Over Trade Corridors

The project comes amid growing global competition for control over Africa’s mineral supply chains. The upgraded TAZARA line will compete with the Lobito Corridor, a Western-backed railway connecting central Africa to Angola’s Atlantic coast.

At the same time, the United States has strengthened its engagement with the DRC through a minerals partnership aimed at securing access to copper and cobalt—resources essential for clean energy technologies.

From Historic Symbol to Modern Trade Engine

Originally constructed in the 1970s with support from Mao Zedong, the TAZARA railway has long symbolized China-Africa cooperation. Now, under a 30-year concession granted by Zambia and Tanzania, it is being repositioned as a commercially driven logistics corridor.

The project also reflects a broader shift in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, with increased participation from private and semi-private firms operating on market-oriented terms.

Outlook

Once completed, the upgraded railway is expected to strengthen regional trade, accelerate mineral exports, and enhance Africa’s role in global supply chains tied to the energy transition. However, the նախագ still awaits final regulatory approvals from Chinese authorities before full implementation begins.