Chinese Premier Li Qiang joined Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and Tanzanian Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi in Lusaka this week to launch a major modernization of the TAZARA Railway – a 1,860km lifeline connecting Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam port to Zambia’s copper belt.
🚂 From ‘Freedom Railway’ to Economic Engine
First built in the 1970s as a symbol of China-Africa solidarity, the railway is now getting a tech-powered makeover. Premier Li called it a ‘bond of friendship’ while wielding a golden shovel at Thursday’s ceremony. ‘This isn’t just about tracks and trains,’ he said. ‘It’s about creating new opportunities from Nairobi to Johannesburg.’
💼 Belt & Road 2.0 in Action
The project kicks off 14 months after Chinese President Xi Jinping witnessed the initial agreement signing in Beijing. Upgrades will include:
🛤️ Modernized rail infrastructure
🚄 Faster freight services
🏥 Community health clinics along the route
🌾 Agricultural support programs
President Hichilema praised the collaboration: ‘This is how South-South cooperation should work – equal partners building shared prosperity.’
🌍 Connecting Continents, Powering Progress
With 21st-century tech and sustainability features, the revived railway aims to boost regional trade by 40% by 2030. As night fell over Lusaka, Premier Li left young Africans with this vision: ‘Your TikTok videos will soon show modern trains carrying both minerals and dreams!’
