Rail transport in Zambia

Rail transport in Zambia is primarily provided by two systems:

Zambia Railways operates a number of rail lines, including the Mulobezi Railway; as of early 2012, it was still in operation, but in poor repair.^[1]

Railway links with adjacent countries

Democratic Republic of the Congo - Ndola to Sakania then Lubumbashi - 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in), freight only. (For extensions and reconstruction beyond Lubumbashi see the DR Congo article). The current operating status of Chililabombwe-DR Congo link not known.
Tanzania - from Kapiri Mposhi, border crossing at Nakonde, Zambia, to Dar es Salaam, TAZARA railway, passenger and freight - 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Malawi - Chipata-Mchinji 2010 opening^[2]
Mozambique - no direct link, but indirectly to Nacala, Beira (via Malawi) and Maputo (via Zimbabwe, no continuous passenger services).
Zimbabwe - from Livingstone via the Victoria Falls Bridge to Bulawayo, freight only.
Botswana - no direct link, indirectly via Zimbabwe (no continuous passenger services). A direct link is under construction and expected to be open in 2019.^[3]
Namibia - no direct link.
Angola - no direct link - but indirectly via DR Congo to Benguela on the Benguela Railway - same gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in). In October 2023, Zambia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Angola, DR Congo, the United States and the European Union for the construction of a new railway line connecting northwestern Zambia to the Lobito Atlantic Railway in Angola. The project, named Zambia-Lobito railway, is supported by the African Development Bank and the Africa Finance Corporation.^[4]

^ Brian Hatyoka (2012-04-06), Zambia: Mulobezi Train - Sign of a Failed Concession Deal
^ "Railway Gazette: News in Brief". Retrieved 2010-09-26.
^ Moyo, Thandiwe (3 December 2017). "Zambia: Govt Committed to Completion of Kazungula Bridge Project". The Times of Zambia. Ndola. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2018 – via AllAfrica.com.
^ "Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Development of the Lobito Corridor and the Zambia-Lobito Rail Line". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2023-10-27.