TAZARA's Next Chapter 🚂🌍
This November, the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), known as the 'Uhuru' or 'Freedom Railway,' got a major 21st-century reboot in Lusaka. Leaders from China, Zambia, and Tanzania kicked off a two-phase plan to modernize the line that's been a lifeline for millions since the 1970s.
A Lifeline for Local Communities
For many, from students to traders, TAZARA isn't just a train track – it's daily life. Imagine hopping on a train from Dar es Salaam to send home fresh veggies, or commuting to work in Mufulira without the stress of bumpy roads. Along the route, vibrant markets pop up at stations, with women vendors selling farm produce and snacks. 🚶♀️🥭
What's Changing?
- Hardware Renewal 🔧: New sleepers, rails, bridges, and tunnels to make rides smoother and safer.
- Freight Boost 📦: Aiming for 2 million tonnes of cargo each year – perfect for shipping grain, copper, or even your e-commerce orders from Dar.
- Faster Trips 🕒: Cutting transit times by two-thirds, so goods (and people) get moving at lightning speed.
- TAZARA Prosperity Belt 🌱: New dry ports, industrial parks, and a training centre mean local skills get a turbocharge, while clinics and solar mini-grids near stations level up daily life.
Why It Matters
TAZARA's upgrade isn't just about steel and concrete – it's a new template for South-South cooperation. It will help Zambia export copper with fewer road blocks, give landlocked neighbours like the DRC more routes to the Indian Ocean, and tie into the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). Plus, with local job targets and skill training, it's a win for communities.
Global Solidarity in Action
Much like rail projects you see in South Asia – where trains connect hearts and economies – TAZARA's reboot shows how infrastructure can spark prosperity. As Professor Wang Jinjie from Peking University puts it, the rails themselves aren't the goal; they're the highway to growth and stronger regional ties.
Next time you're on a train in India, Malaysia, or Indonesia, remember: across the world, rails are more than tracks – they're stories of connection, resilience, and hope. 🌟
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
