Govt dismisses rumours of job losses at TAZARA, as concessionaire set to take over operations

The Ministry of Transport and Logistics has dismissed social media reports suggesting that employees of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) will lose their jobs during the ongoing revival process, calling the claims “misleading and unfounded.”

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry clarified that no current employee would be retrenched as part of the concession agreement aimed at revitalising TAZARA.

It explained that between 200 and 300 workers will transition to employment under the new Concessionaire, while the majority will remain under TAZARA.

The statement indicated that labour unions within the company have reportedly been fully engaged throughout the process.

“With increased operations expected, the demand for skilled workers will grow, potentially creating more jobs over the next three years,” the Ministry stated.

The clarification followed public concerns triggered by remarks made by Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali at State House.

According to the Ministry, those remarks were misrepresented by individuals allegedly attempting to derail what it described as a “transformative project.”

“This concession is not a sell-out. It is a strategic upgrade with vast regional potential,” the statement emphasized.

Currently, TAZARA handles about 500,000 metric tonnes of freight annually.

Under the new concession, that figure was expected to increase to 2.4 million metric tonnes within four years—a projected 600 percent growth, marking the largest expansion in the railway’s history.

Transit times between Kapiri Mposhi and Dar es Salaam are also expected to be significantly reduced, from the current seven to nine days to just three to five days, thereby enhancing trade efficiency.

The Ministry further highlighted that the concession is expected to create thousands of jobs in operations, logistics, and maintenance, boost regional trade, and attract long-term investment.

“The government remains committed to protecting workers’ rights, delivering transformative infrastructure, and promoting Zambia as a regional logistics hub,” the statement stated, urging the public to disregard misinformation and support the revitalisation of TAZARA.

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