The Zambia National Railways are very important to the economy of the country as it is a bulk carrier with less effect on the environment than many other transport modes.  The Government intends to expand its railway network in the country to develop the surface transport sector. Through the Ministry of Transport, a new statutory instrument (SI) was passed, which requires industries to move 30% of their carriage by rail. This is in a bid to decongest the road sector and possibly reduce the damage done by heavy duty trucks on Zambian roads.

The development of rail routes linking important exit points is not only vital for facilitating smooth access to the outside but also for the overall boosting of trade in the sub-region and making Zambia a competitive country for business. Traditionally, the Zambian railways have generally operated well below their original design capacity, yet significant investment is underway to increase their volumes by investing in track conditions, increase locomotive and wagon availability and increase operating capital. The rail network remains the dominant mode of transportation for goods on the local and international routes but is under-utilized.

The main railway lines are the Zambia Railways, owned by Government and the TAZARA line, linking Zambia with Tanzania, and jointly owned by the Zambian and Tanzanian governments. The opening of the Chipata-Mchinji railway link provides connectivity into the Malawi and Mozambique railway network and further connects Zambia to the port of Nacala.

Rail lines in Zambia:

The Government  projects in the Railway sector include:

1. Installation of an advanced signalling and communications system
2. Rehabilitation of the Mulobezi Railway Line (periodical maintenance)

 Planned developments that are seeking funding are:

1. Western Railway
2. North Western Railway
3. Nseluka-Mpulungu Railway
4. Livingstone Katima Mulilo Railway
5. Chipata – TAZARA Railway (approved and funded), to link Serenje town of Central province. 
6. Kafue – Lions Den Railway.

The main constraints are the tracks and maintenance as the train speeds are far slower than Road Freight Trucks.  The main line from Lusaka to the Copperbelt requires periodical maintenance and covers  a distance of about 308 Kms excluding the Branch lines from Kitwe to Mufulira, Kitwe to Chililabombwe and Kitwe to Chingola. The Ndola to Luanshya Line has been closed and needs complete reconstruction.

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Zambia Government Contact List.

Travel Time Matrix

Railway Companies and Consortia

For more information on railway company contact details, please see the following link: 4.9 Zambia Railway Companies Contact List.

Capacity Table

Key Route Information

Key Stations

The following identifies the key information by critical station:

• The main stations serving major manufacturing / agriculture / distribution hubs are as follows: Ndola – Kitwe, Ndola – Copper Mines, manufacturing and agriculture centres .
• Ndola supporting imports and exports from/ into DRC.
• Kapiri Mposhi – Agriculture and supporting imports and exports into Dar es Salaam Tanzania.
• Lusaka – agriculture/ distribution and manufacturing.
• Kafue – agriculture and manufacturing.
• Choma – agriculture.
• Livingstone – supporting imports and exports from and into Zimbabwe.
• Mkushi / Serenje/ Mpika / Kasama and Isoka – agriculture.
• Nakonde supports imports and exports from and into Tanzania.
• Kitwe, Ndola, Kapiri Mposhi, Kabwe, Lusaka, Kafue, Choma, Livingstone are all connected to the road and airports.

Railway Development Plan

1. Chingola to Jimbe (Border with Angola): The railway line involves linking the existing line in Chingola through Solwezi to the border town of Jimbe to enhance the transportation of freight and passenger traffic and other products using the Lobito Bay port in Angola. The project proposal is still on paper and implemented yet.
2. Kafue – Zawi in Zimbabwe: The railway line will link the Zambia Railway line to Ziwa Zimbabwe the way to the Beira Port as the shortest route to the port of Beira in Mozambique.
3. TAZARA Nseluka – Mpulungu Port: The railway lines involves linking the Mpulungu Port to the TAZARA line at Nseluka to facilitate the imports and exports from the Great Lakes region to the sea ports on the Indian Ocean.
4. Extension of the Mchinji/Chipata Railway line to TAZARA – The railway line involves linking the Chipata-Mchinji line through Petauke District to the port of Nacala in Mozambique.
5. Railway link with Zambia and Namibia (Livingstone - Sesheke): The construction of this line involves the partial rehabilitation of the Mulobezi line and feasibility studies for construction of a spur between Livingstone and Katima Mulilo via Kazungula and connect to the Nambian Railway System at the border as part of the Walvis Bay – Livingstone – Lusaka – Ndola – Lubumbashi Corridor.
6. With the expected commissioning of the Kazungula border in 2021, it is anticipated that the rail link on the Botswana side will link the small Zambian border town of Kazungula.