China to Upgrade Tanzania-Zambia Railway

China has signed a memorandum of understanding with Tanzania and Zambia to rehabilitate the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), a crucial transport link for exporting copper from Zambia to Tanzania's coast. The agreement, witnessed by President Xi Jinping during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, marks the most significant upgrade of the railway since its original construction in the 1970s. The project, estimated to cost over $1 billion, aims to enhance regional trade and improve the rail-sea transportation network in East Africa. TAZARA, built with Chinese support to aid Zambia during its landlocked status, has historical significance in Sino-African relations. This development is seen as a strategic move by China to secure vital mineral export routes amid increasing competition from U.S. interests in the region. The World Bank also recently approved $270 million to further improve connectivity between Tanzania and Zambia.