The Tanzanian government is reviewing laws and operational policies to facilitate investment partnerships, including the development of the 1,860km Tazara railway line between Zambia and Tanzania, also known as Tanzam and operated by the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), the country's Transport Minister Makame Mbarawa told local media The East African.
The move is aimed at boosting cargo business amid growing demand for freight transport on the Southern Corridor, which links Tanzania, Zambia, the DRC, Angola and Zimbabwe, the news agency reported.
The Tanzanian authorities are particularly interested in partners who can provide wagons and engines, according to Mbarawa.
In September, Tanzania, China, and Zambia signed a memorandum of understanding revitalizing the Tazara line to increase its capacity for transporting goods and passengers, earlier reports said.
The TAZARA project complements the existing operations of Rovos Rail, which is currently the only private company using the Tazara line for its luxury tourist train service, The East African added.