Zambia secures $6.17 million Japanese grant for railway maintenance

Zambia has secured a US$6.17 million grant from the Government of Japan to support railway maintenance and strengthen the country’s railway infrastructure.

Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, disclosed this on Thursday in Lusaka during the signing ceremony and Exchange of Notes under the Economic and Social Development Programme between the governments of Zambia and Japan.

The ceremony, held at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, was attended by Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Mikami Akiteru, the Secretary to the Treasury, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, and senior government and Japanese Embassy officials.

Musokotwane said the ceremony marked an important milestone in bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

“On behalf of the Government of Zambia, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Government and People of Japan for their continued support towards Zambia’s National Development Agenda,” he said.

He said the support would strengthen Zambia’s railway infrastructure, improve transport efficiency and facilitate the movement of goods and people, thereby promoting trade, improving connectivity and contributing to economic growth in line with the Grow Zambia Agenda.

Musokotwane said the railway subsector was a key component of the Government’s ambition to position Zambia as a regional transport and logistics hub.

He said support from development partners such as Japan would help strengthen the country’s railway capabilities and improve the efficiency of railway operations.

He added that the assistance could also attract further investment into the railway industry, create jobs and promote economic diversification.

“The support comes at a critical time when Zambia is intensifying efforts to revitalise the Zambia railway subsector. It aligns seamlessly with the Grow Zambia Agenda, which emphasises economic transformation, job creation and poverty reduction,” Musokotwane said.

He said the Government valued its partnership with Japan and looked forward to the successful implementation of the project for the benefit of Zambians.

Musokotwane reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to deepening cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking at the ceremony, Japanese Ambassador to Zambia, Mikami Akiteru, said the grant was being provided under Japan’s 2026 Grant Aid Project, the Economic and Social Development Programme, for the procurement of railway maintenance equipment.

“Under this project, Japan will provide a grant of approximately 6.3 million US dollars, or 999 million Japanese yen. This fund will be used to procure high quality railway maintenance equipment manufactured by Japanese companies,” Akiteru said.

He said the equipment would include crane-equipped motor cars and road-rail crane trucks capable of operating on both roads and railway tracks, which were essential for safe and reliable railway operations.

“Railways are vital infrastructure for economic and social development. They enable people to travel, goods to move, and industries to connect with markets,” the Ambassador said.

Akiteru said Japan had developed its railway technology over many decades and that its systems were internationally recognised for their safety, punctuality and efficiency.

He said Japan was pleased to share its expertise to contribute to the development of Zambia’s railway infrastructure.

Akiteru added that the project would support the effective use of Zambia’s transport corridors, including the Nacala Corridor, and contribute to the realisation of President Hakainde Hichilema’s Grow Zambia Agenda by helping the country transport its natural resources more efficiently, attract investment and create jobs.

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