DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) is set to commemorate its 50th anniversary next month as it advances a major transformation programme aimed at revitalising one of Africa’s most iconic railways and strengthening its role as a key regional trade corridor.
The Golden Jubilee celebrations, themed “TAZARA@50: From Liberation to Transformation,” will culminate on July 14, 2026, marking 50 years since the railway commenced commercial operations linking Tanzania and Zambia.
According to a statement issued recently, the anniversary comes at a pivotal moment for the authority, which is undergoing significant reforms through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) concession model following the signing of a concession agreement with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation on September 29, 2025.
TAZARA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Eng Bruno Ching’andu, said the milestone offers an opportunity not only to celebrate the railway’s rich legacy but also to embrace a new era of growth and modernisation.
“As TAZARA turns 50, we are not only celebrating a proud legacy of liberation, sacrifice and regional solidarity, but also embracing a new chapter of transformation through revitalisation. This is a moment for all of us to reflect, celebrate and rally behind the rebirth of TAZARA as a corridor of opportunities,” he said.
Conceived through the shared vision of the founding leaders of Tanzania, Zambia and China, TAZARA was built as more than a transport project.
It served as a strategic instrument for economic independence and regional solidarity, helping to break colonial-era trade barriers and providing landlocked Zambia with access to the Port of Dar es Salaam.
Since its completion in 1976, the railway has played a vital role in facilitating trade, connecting communities and promoting regional integration across Southern and Eastern Africa.
Eng Ching’andu said the authority aims to build on that legacy through ongoing revitalisation efforts designed to improve efficiency, enhance service delivery and boost the railway’s competitiveness as a regional transport corridor.
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To mark the Golden Jubilee, TAZARA has lined up a month-long programme of activities bringing together customers, stakeholders, employees, former workers, development partners and communities along the railway line.
The celebrations will feature public engagement programmes, stakeholder events, media campaigns, staff activities, youth-focused initiatives, historical reflections and promotional activities highlighting the railway’s contribution to Africa’s development.
The official launch of the commemorative activities will take place on July 14 this year and will be preceded by a series of events, including an open week for public interaction, a two-legged corporate golf tournament in Lusaka and Dar es Salaam, academic lectures on the historical significance of TAZARA, a media tour showcasing the railway’s transformation agenda and community outreach activities.
TAZARA has invited customers, partners, former employees, current staff and members of the public to participate in the celebrations and reflect on the railway’s achievements over the past five decades while supporting its vision for the future.