The Tanzania-Zambia Railway (Tazara) line is set for a massive 1.4 billion dollars revitalization that officials say will modernize the regional transport corridor, unlock new trade opportunities, and quadruple cargo volumes.
Built by China in 1970s, the 1,860-kilometer-long iconic railway will be upgraded under a concession with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation. It is expected to ease the movement of people and goods between Zambia and Tanzania.
Hailing the upgrade project, Zambia has said that it will position the country for stronger economic growth and more reliable revenue streams.
"It's going to be a three-year period to ensure that there is a brand new track, that we do put in place a modern signaling system, and all the attendant infrastructure, such as the logistics hub that we intend to construct at Kapiri Mposhi, which is the inland port, dry port, here in Zambia, is actually also operationalized," said Frank Tayali, Zambian Minister of Transport and Logistics.
A key component of the upgrade is the establishment of a new sleeper factory in Zambia, which will manufacture the railway sleepers needed for the entire line, a move expected to lower costs and create local jobs.
Once completed, the amount of cargo transported on the line is expected to jump from the current 500,000 tonnes per year to more than three million tonnes, an increase that will boost local businesses.
"Zambia will be given a new lease of life in terms of becoming competitive," said Tayali.
The impact of the project will be felt across multiple sectors, according to economists.
"It gives government the opportunity to be able to earn revenue and help out with other social services. So this is what development actually is," said Lishala Situmbeko, an economist.
The upgraded railway also comes a critical moment when Zambia is seeking to increase its copper production to three million tons by 2031.
"The corridor is a very important piece to that conversation, because for you to be able to produce three million tons, you've got to be able to ship three million tons," said Situmbeko.
From its establishment as a symbol of solidarity five decades ago to today's overhaul, the railway's story continues, now promising a modern, efficient platform that could reshape Zambia's economic future for decades to come.
Tazara Railway upgrade to position Zambia for stronger economic growth, more reliable revenue streams
Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of London on Saturday, marching from Westminster to the U.S. embassy to deliver a clear message to the United States and Israel -- stop the war in Iran.
Chanting slogans and carrying banners reading "Stop bombing Iran" and "No war on Iran", demonstrators condemned what they described as unlawful military aggression that they say threatens regional stability and civilian lives.
"What Trump is doing from his base in America -- trying to rule the world. And I think it's disgusting and it's dangerous. It's killing. It's going to kill tens of thousands of people across the Middle East, and it'll have huge ramifications across the world," said a protester in an interview with China Global Television Network.
"I think that Trump and Netanyahu's obvious attempts to push regime change are unacceptable. And it's ultimately the Iranian people and people across the Middle East, normal people, who are going to suffer the most in this war," said another.
The United States and Israel launched coordinated attacks against Iran on Feb. 28, which resulted in the deaths of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, several of his family members and multiple senior Iranian military commanders.
Iran said on Friday evening that since the fighting began, at least 1,332 civilians have been killed, with thousands of others injured.
"A completely immoral, groundless act of aggression, another war crime against Iran," said a third protester.
"They are going in, they're bombing people indiscriminately. Over 160 school children have been killed for no good reason," another protester said, referring to the U.S.-Israeli airstrike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' elementary school in Minab, southern Iran.
Initially, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the United States couldn't use any British bases for military actions in the Middle East. But he later rolled back on his words, saying that the U.S. can use certain bases as long as it is for defensive actions only.
The protesters don't think he has gone far enough. They said that this is an illegal action and should be stopped immediately.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a live broadcast statement on Saturday that Israel's attack on Iran will continue with "full force and uncompromising momentum."
Israel has a well-prepared plan with many surprises to undermine "Iranian regime" and "enable change," Netanyahu said.
Thousands march in London to demand halt to US-Israeli strikes on Iran
