Tanzania’s Tazara Railway US$1.4B upgrade to support avocado exports, add refrigerated wagons

TANZANIA – The US$1.4 billion rehabilitation of the Tazara Railway has been announced to increase cargo transport capacity between Tanzania and Zambia, with plans to introduce refrigerated freight wagons for perishable agricultural exports.

This 1,860-kilometre railway rehabilitation project will restore the line’s operational capacity and enable efficient movement of avocados and other perishable goods from the Njombe Region to the port of Dar es Salaam.

Refrigerated Wagons for Perishable Cargo

Deputy Minister for Transport David Kihenzile told Parliament that the railway rehabilitation project aims to restore the line’s operational capacity. The comments followed a question from Special Seats MP Neema Mgaya about the possible introduction of refrigerated freight wagons to transport perishable products such as avocados.

“We have received the MP’s advice. During the rehabilitation process, we will consider allocating special wagons for transporting agricultural produce and other essential goods along this corridor,” Kihenzile stated.

For fresh produce exporters, the addition of refrigerated wagons would be a game-changer. Avocados from Tanzania’s Southern Highlands currently face spoilage risks during road transport to Dar es Salaam.

Additionally, rail-based cold chain solutions would reduce transit times, maintain temperature integrity, and expand market access for high-value horticulture exports.

Partnership with China and Zambia

The railway, built in the 1970s with Chinese support during the presidency of Julius Nyerere, has operated at below-capacity levels for several decades. The current rehabilitation program is being carried out jointly by Tanzania, Zambia, and China.

Part of Wider Railway Investment

The Tazara project forms part of Tanzania’s wider railway investment. According to Minister Kihenzile, the Tanzania Railways Corporation currently operates eight daily services from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma and four return journeys, with operational improvements expected to continue into the 2026/27 financial year.

Logistics Impact

The rehabilitated Tazara line is expected to strengthen trade links between the port of Dar es Salaam and Zambia’s mining regions, while also facilitating the transport of agricultural products, including avocados, from Tanzania’s Southern Highlands.

Moreover, the combination of Chinese financing, tripartite governance, and refrigerated-wagon capability creates a replicable model for agricultural rail corridors across Africa.

As Tanzania’s broader railway strategy advances, including the SGR expansion, the Tazara upgrade positions Dar es Salaam as a competitive gateway for landlocked Zambia and DR Congo, easing road congestion and reducing per-tonne transport costs for bulk agricultural commodities.

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