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I AM ZAMBIA FINAL BY PATRICK SOKO

WHAT CAN ZAMBIA LEARN FROM CHINA’S DEVELOPMENT LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY IN THE RAILWAY SECTOR?

By Patrick Soko

Zambia can emulate China by embracing technology to foster development in all spheres of the economy, especially in the railway sector.

Zambia china relations date back to the prior and post-colonial eras marked by China’s critical role major role in the construction of the Tazara rail line. It took great efforts to up but unfortunately, Zambia remained stuck in the past while other countries have evolved in the development of the rail infrastructure and trains.

And Zambia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics Frank Tayali says the country will need 1 billion United States dollars to undertake Zambian railways infrastructure rehabilitation works.

The Minister says the first works is currently at 89 percent and that the second phase will commence once funds are available.

He says the project will take years four (4) to be fully completed.

A Swedish firm will undertake rehabilitation works of railway infrastructure from Chingola on the Copperbelt to Livingstone in Southern Province. 

Zambia and China are referred to as all-weather friends but to what extent has Zambia utilized China to spur infrastructure development for the greater benefit of its citizens?  

In recent years Zambia has been a beneficiary of China’s ambitious project dubbed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), sometimes referred to as the New Silk Road. Launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping, the vast collection of development and investment initiatives was originally devised to link East Asia and Europe through physical infrastructure.

In the decade since, the project has expanded to Africa, Oceania, and Latin America, significantly broadening China’s economic and political influence.

Chinese President Xi Jinping in his book called “The Government of China” states and I quote “This is what I want to tell you, my dear friends: in this new era, china African relations have become more important with increasing common interests, china will intensify interests, instead of less important with fewer common interests. China will intensify, not weaken its efforts to develop relations with Africa” end of quote.

Based on the above statement Zambia has an opportunity to seek development cooperation that benefits both parties in the transport sector given Zambia’s geographical location as a land-linked nation, the southern African Country can solidify its desire to be the regional Transport Hub and critical channel for regional interpretation in the Southern African development community SADC and the common market for eastern and southern Africa COMESA Overall under the context of the African Continental free trade area.

The footprint of China’s investment in Zambia is vivid and remains instrumental in aiding Zambia's aspiration to become a prosperous middle-income country. Among critical infrastructure is the modern Kenneth Kaunda International Airport the Mulungushi International Conference Center Kenneth Kaunda Wing and roads Infrastructure.

China Railway High-Speed is a concept that Zambia can adopt to save The Zambia Railway Company. Zambia does not need to reinvent the will but simply engage its bilateral partner on how the concept can be domesticated to ensure a coordinated and integrated transport sector for the easy movement of people and goods both inland and in the region.

Currently, Zambia’s rail infrastructure is dilapidated and outdated and the injection of capital through the $120 million Eurobond raised between 2012 and 2013 did not make any impact to revive and modernize Zambia's railway sector due to what governance experts refer to as mismanagement of resources. Governance actors say Zambia should look beyond maintenance of the existing rail network and explore a comprehensive modernization approach, given that the Country remains behind amidst global advancements in technology. 

According to Chinese Media high-speed rail has been a catalyst for export growth but in Zambia, it is still not attractive to travel by train including the transporting goods hence more heavy cargo is largely being transported by road thus reducing the lifespan of roads.

on the other hand, It must however be noted that Recently Zambia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali disclosed that the partners in TAZARA are working towards ensuring full involvement of China in the operations of the company.

 “Over the years, TAZARA has faced numerous challenges, both internal and external. Yet, it has demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and commitment. We would like TAZARA to evolve into a modern and efficient and reliable transportation system, contributing significantly to the economic growth of and development of our respective countries including paying their operational costs and salaries,” Tayali explained.

Beijing has already demonstrated commitment to the as the chinses government and has already selected a state-owned form china construction Corp to negotiate a concession to operate a line connecting Zambia’s copper mining heartland with the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam, which may require as much as $1 billion investment.

#SENSELI #MINE TRAGEDY IN #ZAMBIA'S CHINGOLA TOWNSHIP

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