Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on March 20, 2025.
China, Zambia, and Tanzania to Sign $1.4 Billion investment Deal for CCECC to Operate TAZARA for 30 Years
Investment negotiations concerning the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) are in their final stages, with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) set to invest $1.4 billion in the historic railway connecting Tanzania and Zambia.
This was announced by TAZARA’s Chief Executive Officer, Bruno Ching’andu, during the Zambia International Mining and Energy Conference (ZIMEC 2025) held in Kitwe, Zambia. Ching’andu stated that with this investment, CCECC will operate TAZARA for 30 years.
“The investment from CCECC will not only restore our railway infrastructure but also position TAZARA as a key enabler of trade and economic growth between Tanzania and Zambia,” said Ching’andu.
Under the three-nation agreement, CCECC will invest $1 billion in rehabilitating the TAZARA railway, while $400 million will be allocated for the purchase of 32 train locomotives and 762 freight wagons.
During the 30-year operational period, the first three years will be dedicated to railway rehabilitation, followed by 27 years of full-scale operations.
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Government Urges Stakeholder Cooperation for the Success of the Census of Industrial Production
The Minister of Industry and Trade, Dr. Selemani Jafo, has called on industry stakeholders, particularly factory owners, to cooperate in the upcoming Census of Industrial Production of 2025, based on the 2023 reference year.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam to factory owners from the Dar es Salaam and Pwani regions, Dr. Jafo emphasized that the census will provide critical insights into the number of industries and the types of products manufactured in the country. This information will help establish strong policy, regulatory, and legal frameworks.
“My fellow industrialists, this census is crucial for understanding the current state of our country’s industries. I urge you to support the process by welcoming the data collectors and providing them with the necessary information,” said Dr. Jafo.
Tanzania conducted the last Census of Industrial Production in 2013, but the exercise faced challenges, including restricted access to some factories, refusal to disclose audited financial data, delays in filling out questionnaires, and instances of providing inaccurate information.
Dr. Jafo stressed that the key objective is to assess industrial production and the number of factories to support policy decisions that will foster development and protect local industries.
Meanwhile, the Chief Statistician of the Government, Dr. Amina Msengwa, highlighted significant changes in the industrial sector over the past decade, necessitating the 2023 reference-year census to evaluate progress.
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