The Company
Zambia Railways (ZR) extends from Victoria Falls Bridge on the Zimbabwe border to the Copperbelt area in the north where it links up, via the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the Benguela Railway to the Angolan Port of Lobito. The Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) links up with ZR at Kapiri Mposhi and extends to the port of Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania.
ZR extends from the junction with Zimbabwe Railways at Victoria Falls
to Lusaka (474 km), Kapiri Mposhi (junction with TAZARA, 658 km) and then
to the Copperbelt (Ndola, 782 km, through Chingola, 916 km) with a total
track length of 1,273 km. 846 Km of this track is main line, with the rest
comprising branch lines. All lines are single track.
Most of the traffic is within the Copperbelt (50-60%) and south to
Lusaka (25-30%). Traffic volumes have decreased in recent years although
the privatisation of the copper mines presents improved prospects.
ZR's rolling stock presently comprises some 66 mainline and 14 shunt
locomotives, 5,300 wagons and 75 passenger coaches.
Mulobezi Railway is owned by the Ministry of Communications. The potential
for tourist development is to be investigated.
Privatisation process
In 1998, the Zambian Government issued a directive that Zambia Railways
and Mulobezi Railways should be commercialised while the possibility of
entering into concessions for some operations should be explored.
A Cabinet decision is awaited on the form of the concessioning.
Expressions of interest are invited from interested parties.
Contact:
The Chief Executive
Zambia Privatisation Agency
Privatisation House
Nasser Road
P.O. Box 30819
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA
Fax: + 260 1 225270
Tel: + 260 1 222858, 220177, 227791
E Mail: zpa@zpa.org.zm
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