Railway rises again: China’s push into Africa amid US competition
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Mar 17
- 9 min read
Updated: Mar 25
China has announced a significant investment exceeding $1.4 billion to modernize the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway line, a crucial route connecting Zambia's copper mines to Tanzania's largest port.
This initiative, led by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), aims to rehabilitate the rail tracks and procure new locomotives and wagons, thereby enhancing trade and reducing transportation costs for both businesses and passengers. This is according to Business Insider.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has actively advocated for the revitalization of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway, emphasizing its significance for regional trade and economic development. During the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, she, alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to rehabilitate the 1,860-kilometer railway. He says that this investment marks a new era for Tanzania and Zambia. –It is not just about railways, but about connecting people, trade, and opportunities across our region.
Transparency of the deal
While the investment's scale and objectives are clear, detailed information regarding the terms of the 30-year concession and the specific roles of the involved parties has not been fully disclosed. This lack of transparency raises concerns about the potential implications for the sovereignty of the involved nations and the equitable distribution of the project's benefits.
China's infrastructure investments in Africa
Over the past decades, China has significantly expanded its infrastructure footprint across Africa, focusing on roads, railways, and ports. Notable projects include:
Railways Construction of over 12,000 kilometers of railways, including the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya, enhancing regional connectivity. Roads Development of extensive road networks, such as the Maputo-Katembe bridge in Mozambique, facilitating trade and mobility.
Ports Investment in around 20 ports, including the expansion of the Bata Port in Equatorial Guinea, bolstering maritime trade routes.
Pros and cons of such investments
Advantages:
Economic growth Improved infrastructure can stimulate economic development by enhancing trade and attracting foreign investment.
Employment opportunities Infrastructure projects often create jobs, contributing to poverty reduction and skill development.
Disadvantages:
Debt sustainability Reliance on loans for such projects can lead to significant debt burdens, raising concerns about repayment capabilities.
Sovereignty issues In cases of loan defaults, there is a risk of losing control over critical national assets, as seen in some countries.
«The Maputo–Katembe Bridge, completed in 2018 with Chinese funding and engineering, is the longest suspension bridge in Africa, spanning 3 km across Maputo Bay. Built at a cost of around $785 million, the project was financed primarily by China Exim Bank and constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation. While the bridge has improved connectivity between northern and southern Mozambique, it significantly increased national debt, raising concerns about financial sustainability and dependency on Chinese loans.» Photo: Jcornelius, Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Comparative investments by the US and EU
In response to China's growing influence, the United States and the European Union have initiated their own infrastructure investment strategies in Africa:
United States The U.S. has launched initiatives like the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, aiming to provide alternative funding for infrastructure projects. However, past reductions in foreign aid, such as cuts to USAID during the Trump administration, have impacted the U.S.'s engagement in African development.
European Union The EU's Global Gateway initiative pledges significant investments in African infrastructure. Despite these commitments, African experts remain skeptical, noting that while China has tangible projects to show for its engagement, the EU's involvement has been perceived as more bureaucratic.
Risks associated with reduced US engagement
The previous reduction in U.S. foreign aid and development programs under the Trump administration has had several implications:
Diminished influence Scaling back aid can lead to reduced U.S. influence in Africa, allowing other nations, particularly China, to fill the void.
Economic opportunities Reduced engagement may result in missed opportunities for U.S. businesses in emerging African markets.
China's investments
China's engagement with Africa has seen substantial growth:
Foreign direct investment (FDI) Chinese FDI in Africa surged from approximately $75 million in 2003 to $5 billion in 2021.
Trade In 2024, trade between China and African countries reached $295 billion, with China undertaking 643 overseas direct investment projects in Africa, totaling about $150 billion.
Infrastructure China has been instrumental in developing Africa's infrastructure, constructing over 10,000 kilometers of highways, nearly 1,000 bridges, and around 100 ports.
United States' investments
The United States has also played a role in Africa's development:
Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Established in 2019, the DFC has built a $50 billion portfolio across 114 countries, including significant investments in Africa.
Power Africa Initiative Launched in 2013, this initiative aimed to add more than 30,000 megawatts of cleaner energy generation capacity and connect 60 million new homes and businesses to electricity.
European Union's investments
The European Union has committed to various developmental projects in Africa:
Global Gateway Initiative Announced in 2021, the EU pledged €150 billion over seven years to support infrastructure development in Africa.
Energy Investments Between 2000 and 2012, EU member states committed approximately $7 billion to Sub-Saharan Africa's energy sector.
Recent developments
The competition for influence in Africa's infrastructure development continues to evolve:
South Africa's Rail Investment South Africa plans to issue requests for proposals in August 2025 to attract private-sector investment in its deteriorating freight rail network, aiming to revitalize key mineral export corridors.
US-China rivalry in Africa Both the U.S. and China are actively seeking to control Africa's mineral riches, with strategic investments in infrastructure projects like railways to facilitate mineral exports.
Over the past two decades, China, the United States, and the European Union have significantly invested in Africa, each contributing to the continent's development in various sectors.
In conclusion, while China's investment in the TAZARA railway represents a significant boost to African infrastructure, it underscores the importance of transparency and sustainable financing. Both the U.S. and the EU face challenges in matching China's infrastructure investments in Africa, necessitating a reevaluation of their engagement strategies to effectively support the continent's development.
China, US, EU in Africa: Mixed reactions from the ground
As global powers race to strengthen their influence in Africa, the continent's leaders, economists, and citizens have expressed a wide range of views on foreign infrastructure investments. From China's Belt and Road Initiative to EU's Global Gateway and US development programs, the debate continues over the benefits, risks, and motives of such engagements. Here are some notable reactions reflecting both positive and critical perspectives.
Positive views on China’s investment
«This investment marks a new era for Tanzania and Zambia. It is not just about railways, but about connecting people, trade, and opportunities across our region.» Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan - About China’s $1.4 billion investment in the TAZARA Railway
«China has filled a void left by Western countries. They are providing the infrastructure we need — roads, rail, ports — and we are moving faster than before.» Raila Oding African Union Infrastructure Envoy About China’s Belt and Road Initiative:
«Africa needs infrastructure, and China is delivering. The focus should be on how we manage these partnerships for long-term gains, not on who provides them.» Economist Carlos Lopes Former Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa
Critical views on China’s investment
«We must be cautious. Borrowing heavily from one source risks our sovereignty. Transparency and fairness must guide our partnerships.» Hakainde Hichilema Zambia’s Opposition leader About the rising debt
«China’s loans are often tied to Chinese contractors and materials. While the infrastructure is built, local industries often don't benefit as much as they should.» Dr. Deborah Brautigam Director of the China Africa Research Initiative, Johns Hopkins University:
«Some Chinese projects have become white elephants — expensive, underutilized, and debt-inducing. Africa must be a smarter negotiator.» Kenyan Economist David Ndii About Chinese-funded projects
Criticism of US and EU investments
«While China builds, the West holds meetings. Africa needs action, not promises or excessive bureaucracy from the EU and US.» Olayinka Ajala Nigerian political analyst
«The US and Europe talk about aid, but aid is not investment. We want partners, not donors. The future of Africa depends on equal partnerships.» Thabo Mbeki Former South African president
«Cutting USAID and development funding weakens America’s soft power in Africa. It opens doors for others, like China, who are ready to invest.» Dr. Bitrina Diyamett Tanzanian economist
Balanced or reflective views
«We welcome all investments, but they must respect our sovereignty and deliver value for our people. We must not trade today’s progress for tomorrow’s dependency.» Nana Akufo Addo Ghana’s president
«Global Gateway is not about charity. It’s about building infrastructure that respects environmental standards, social rights, and local involvement — an alternative to opaque deals.» Josep Borrell EU Foreign policy chief
«It’s not about choosing China or the West. It’s about Africa defining its terms and ensuring all deals are beneficial, transparent, and sustainable.» Paul Kagame Rwandan president
TAZARA Railway: From Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi
The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway stretches 1,860 kilometers from the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to New Kapiri Mposhi in central Zambia.
Originally built between 1970 and 1975 with Chinese support, the railway was designed to provide landlocked Zambia with direct access to the sea, bypassing apartheid-era trade routes through Rhodesia and South Africa. Often called the "Uhuru Railway" (Uhuru meaning freedom in Swahili), TAZARA remains one of Africa’s most ambitious infrastructure projects.
Historical context
In the 1960s, Zambia needed a reliable trade route independent of white-minority-ruled territories. Tanzania, under President Julius Nyerere, supported Zambia’s effort to connect to the Indian Ocean through a railway. After Western nations declined to fund the project, China stepped in with a large interest-free loan, engineers, and laborers. TAZARA quickly became a symbol of African self-reliance and Sino-African solidarity. The railway also held strategic importance during the Cold War and the southern African liberation struggles, providing a lifeline for trade and a target for sabotage during conflicts.
The route and major stops
TAZARA begins at sea level in Dar es Salaam and climbs to over 1,700 meters through Tanzania’s Southern Highlands before descending into Zambia’s central plateau. The railway passes through diverse terrains, from coastal plains and game reserves to mountains and river valleys.
Key locations along the route include:
Dar es Salaam – Starting point and major port city.
Mikumi National Park and Selous Game Reserve – The railway cuts through these iconic wildlife areas, offering passengers views of giraffes, elephants, and zebras.
Makambako and Mbeya – Important highland towns in Tanzania, with Mbeya near the railway’s highest point.
Tunduma / Nakonde – The Tanzania-Zambia border crossing.
Kasama and Mpika – Major towns in Zambia, with Mpika home to one of TAZARA’s operational centers.
New Kapiri Mposhi – Terminus in Zambia, linking to Zambia Railways and the Copperbelt region.
Terrain and construction challenges
The railway’s construction involved navigating swamps, rivers, and mountains. Chinese and African crews moved millions of cubic meters of earth, building 93 stations, 320 bridges, 22 tunnels, and over 2,000 culverts. The most difficult stretch was through the Udzungwa Mountains, where engineers built high bridges and long tunnels to maintain a workable gradient. Wildlife, floods, and remote conditions made the work extremely challenging, yet the railway was completed on time in just five years.
Modern upgrades and economic importance
Over the years, TAZARA fell into disrepair due to underfunding. Recently, China renewed its involvement with the $1.4 billion investment to rehabilitate the railway, including upgrades to tracks, bridges, and rolling stock. This revitalization is expected to increase freight capacity and improve efficiency.
TAZARA remains vital for regional trade, especially for Zambia’s copper exports and imports of fuel and goods. It also supports agriculture, local commerce, and tourism. Passenger trains continue to operate, with travelers enjoying scenic routes through wildlife reserves and mountains. The railway is a critical link in the Dar es Salaam Corridor, connecting East Africa’s ports with Southern Africa’s interior. With new investments, TAZARA is poised to once again become a backbone of African connectivity and economic growth.
