TAZARA Concession Model Set to Unlock Capacity Growth in the Central Corridor
The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has placed its concession model at the centre of efforts to expand capacity and improve efficiency along the Central Corridor.
Speaking in an interview with the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA) communications team in Dar es Salaam, TAZARA Managing Director, Eng. Bruno Chingandu described the concession framework as a decisive step toward revitalising rail transport and strengthening the corridor’s competitiveness.
“The Concession Agreement with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) is a game changer in that it is expected to unlock new investment, improve operational efficiency, and significantly scale up freight capacity,” he said, adding: “Freight will be further enhanced by the Open Access arrangements with other private operators.”
Eng. Chingandu commended the shareholders for opting to bring in private investors through an innovative PPP concession model that guarantees long-term sustainability for the railway line.
“By bringing in private sector expertise and financing, the CCECC concession model was designed to accelerate infrastructure rehabilitation, modernise rolling stock, and enhance service reliability,” he said.
Eng. Chingandu emphasised that this approach will enable rail to carry more bulk cargo over long distances at lower cost, easing pressure on road networks while improving the overall flow of goods between the Port of Dar es Salaam and inland markets, particularly for the six member states of the Central Corridor: Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia.
He noted that the concession model marks a shift from traditional railway operations toward a more dynamic, partnership-driven system capable of responding to growing regional trade demand.
“As capacity expands, rail is expected to play an increasingly central role in supporting trade efficiency, lowering logistics costs, and strengthening economic integration across the Central Corridor,” Eng. Chingandu said.
