China’s CCECC to Invest $1.4 Billion in Tanzania-Zambia Railway Upgrade
The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation will invest $1.4 billion to improve the Tanzania-Zambia railway over a 30-year period. This investment aims to resolve longstanding challenges and enhance copper exports from the region, while highlighting the competitive landscape between Chinese and U.S. interests in African mineral transport.
The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) is set to invest $1.4 billion in the enhancement of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) through a 30-year concession. This initiative was announced by the railway’s operator amid intensifying competition for access to Africa’s essential minerals, particularly copper.
TAZARA is a vital transportation route for copper exports from central Africa, as it offers an alternative to the logistical challenges posed by South Africa, which have hindered the export of copper and cobalt.
Bruno Ching’andu, the CEO of TAZARA Authority, emphasized, “The decision to grant a concession follows an in-depth evaluation of TAZARA’s challenges over the years, which necessitated urgent intervention.” This investment follows China’s commitment last year to support the rehabilitation of the longstanding railway line.
Furthermore, the investment comes at a time when the United States is also backing a competing transport route for minerals, known as the Lobito corridor, initiated from an Angolan port. Such developments indicate the strategic importance of transportation infrastructure in the mineral-rich regions of Africa.
In conclusion, the CCECC’s $1.4 billion investment in TAZARA marks a significant step in enhancing one of Africa’s key mineral transport routes. The project aims to alleviate logistical challenges faced by copper exporters in central Africa. With competing interests from both Chinese and American investments in African transportation infrastructure, the future of mineral exports in the region remains a focal point for economic development.
Original Source: thefinancialexpress.com.bd
