Tanzania and Angola Plan Rail Link Between Two Oceans

Tanzania and Angola have announced plans to establish a railway connection across southern and central Africa, creating a potential transport route between the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean.

The initiative emerged during Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço's state visit to Tanzania on October 29–30, 2026.

Following discussions with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the two governments expressed their commitment to connecting existing transport corridors through Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The proposed connection would link the Port of Dar es Salaam on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast with the Port of Lobito on Angola's Atlantic coastline.

The project is intended to facilitate international cargo transportation, support regional economic integration and provide additional export routes for mineral-producing countries in southern and central Africa.

However, the governments have not yet announced an overall construction budget, finalized financing structure or completion deadline.

A Trans-African Route Linking Dar es Salaam and Lobito

The proposed connection would bring together two major railway systems serving different parts of the African continent.

The Tanzania–Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) operates the railway connecting Dar es Salaam with Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia.

On the western side of the continent, Angola's Benguela Railway forms an important component of the Lobito Corridor, connecting the Atlantic port of Lobito with inland transport routes extending toward the DRC.

The two governments intend to develop the missing connections needed to integrate these networks.

Speaking on October 30 before travelling from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma, President Hassan said work was continuing to rehabilitate the TAZARA system, while Angola was also modernizing the Benguela Railway.

She emphasized that additional railway infrastructure would be required before the networks could function as a connected east–west transport route.

President Lourenço similarly highlighted railway connectivity as an opportunity to strengthen trade and economic cooperation among African countries.

The initiative remains a proposed regional infrastructure development rather than an operational transcontinental railway service.

New Transport Options for Africa's Mineral Producers

The economic importance of the project is closely linked to the mineral-producing regions of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Both countries play major roles in global copper production, while the DRC is also a leading source of cobalt.

Copper is essential for electricity networks and industrial manufacturing, while cobalt remains important in certain battery technologies and other industrial applications.

The development of an integrated transport system could allow mineral exporters to access international markets through ports on both sides of Africa.

Dar es Salaam would provide an eastern outlet to the Indian Ocean, while Lobito would offer access to Atlantic shipping routes.

Such flexibility could improve supply-chain options and reduce dependence on individual transport corridors.

Agricultural products, manufactured goods and other types of cargo could also benefit from stronger connections between inland production centres and coastal markets.

Actual reductions in transportation costs and delivery times would depend on completed infrastructure, operating capacity, border procedures and commercial arrangements.

China Invests in Modernization of the TAZARA Railway

The proposed cross-continent connection comes as China continues supporting railway development in East Africa.

In 2025, China signed an agreement worth approximately $1.4 billion with Tanzania and Zambia to modernize the TAZARA railway.

The line was originally developed with Chinese financing and technical assistance during the 1970s to support Zambia's copper exports and provide access to imported goods.

The modernization initiative is intended to improve railway infrastructure, strengthen operational performance and increase the system's capacity for cargo transportation.

A modernized TAZARA network could become a central component of the eastern section of the proposed trans-African connection.

However, the $1.4 billion modernization agreement is separate from the new Tanzania–Angola railway initiative.

It does not constitute confirmed financing for the entire connection between Dar es Salaam and Lobito.

Webuild Selected for 517-Kilometre Lobito Railway Section

Infrastructure development is also advancing along the proposed western transport corridor.

On October 27, Italian construction group Webuild announced that it had been selected as the preferred bidder for Lot 1B of the Zambia Lobito Railway Corridor.

The project involves approximately 517 kilometres of new railway construction from the Angolan border to Chingola, a major centre in Zambia's Copperbelt region.

The planned infrastructure includes 22 bridges and viaducts, eight stations and three maintenance depots.

Webuild will lead an international consortium that includes Turkish construction company İçtaş with a 30 percent participation and Portugal's Mota-Engil with another 30 percent.

The broader Zambia Lobito Railway development involves approximately 831 kilometres of new railway infrastructure between Zambia and Angola.

According to Webuild, completion of the relevant Lobito Corridor infrastructure could reduce cargo transit times from the Copperbelt to international markets from approximately 16 days to seven days.

The company also estimates that the development could generate around $3 billion in economic benefits for Zambia and Angola.

These figures represent project projections for the Lobito Corridor and should not be interpreted as confirmed benefits for the entire proposed Indian Ocean–Atlantic Ocean connection.

Webuild's preferred-bidder status also remains subject to technical, commercial and legal negotiations expected to begin in November 2026.

China, Europe and the United States Support African Corridors

The Tanzania–Angola initiative emerges against a wider international effort to improve transport infrastructure serving Africa's mineral and industrial regions.

China has invested in railway modernization and transport infrastructure across several African countries.

At the same time, the United States, European Union and G7 partners have supported the development of the Lobito Corridor.

The project forms part of broader initiatives intended to improve access to critical minerals and expand international trade connections.

The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) is developing the Zambia Lobito Railway project, working with national governments and international development partners.

The proposed integration of TAZARA and the Benguela Railway could eventually connect infrastructure networks supported by different international investment programmes.

However, establishing a fully integrated railway corridor will require further construction, technical coordination, border-crossing arrangements and operational agreements among the participating countries.

Four Bilateral Cooperation Agreements Signed

During Lourenço's visit, Tanzania and Angola also signed four cooperation instruments covering areas beyond the railway initiative.

The agreements, signed on October 29, address the transfer of sentenced persons, bilateral air services, information and communication technologies, and meteorological cooperation.

The air services agreement establishes a framework for closer aviation links and may facilitate future direct flights between Dar es Salaam and Luanda.

No confirmed launch date for a new direct flight service has been announced.

Angolan Foreign Minister Téte António said the four instruments would supplement 12 existing bilateral cooperation agreements.

The governments are also considering further arrangements, including potential collaboration involving satellite technologies.

The proposed railway connection should be distinguished from these four signed instruments, as its construction and implementation arrangements remain under development.

Angola Invites Tanzania to Invest in Lobito Oil Refinery

Energy cooperation was another major subject during the presidential discussions.

President Lourenço renewed an invitation for Tanzania to consider becoming an investor in Angola's Lobito oil refinery project, which is under construction.

Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) is examining the feasibility of participating in the proposed investment.

A potential partnership could expand bilateral cooperation in petroleum processing and energy infrastructure.

However, Tanzania has not yet announced a final investment decision or confirmed the acquisition of an equity stake in the refinery.

The proposal forms part of wider discussions on energy, trade, investment and economic diversification between the two governments.

Historic Presidential Visit After 47 Years

President Lourenço's visit also carried historical significance for relations between Tanzania and Angola.

It was the first state visit to Tanzania by an Angolan president since founding President Agostinho Neto travelled to the country in 1979.

The two nations have longstanding ties rooted in the liberation struggles of southern Africa.

During the latest visit, Hassan and Lourenço travelled aboard Tanzania's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma on October 30.

They attended the inauguration of government offices and road infrastructure at Mtumba Government City.

Lourenço used the visit to encourage African governments to strengthen commercial relationships with one another rather than concentrating primarily on partnerships with countries outside the continent.

Hassan emphasized the importance of transportation networks in facilitating regional trade, economic development and closer ties between African populations.

Their discussions highlighted an effort to convert historical political solidarity into practical economic cooperation.

The proposed railway connection between the Indian and Atlantic Oceans represents one of the most ambitious elements of that effort.

Its eventual implementation will depend on collaboration involving Tanzania, Angola, Zambia and the DRC, alongside the completion of relevant railway projects and the mobilization of additional investment.

For now, the governments have established a shared objective, but a timetable for operating a continuous railway service between the two ocean coasts remains unconfirmed.