New transport minister appointed

Zambia's president, Hakainde Hichilema, has appointed Charles Lubasi Milupi as the new minister of Transport and Logistics. Milupi previously served as the minister of Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development and took his oath of office on October 29 at State House in Lusaka.

Milupi's background and career

Charles Lubasi Milupi holds a degree in electrical and electronic engineering from University College Cardiff in the United Kingdom. Before entering politics, he served on the board of Copperbelt Energy Corporation and was elected as an independent member of parliament for Luena in 2006.

Rail focus in new role

As the new transport minister, Milupi is expected to prioritize rail development. During his oath-taking ceremony, the president urged him to accelerate projects such as the Lobito corridor, the revitalization of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA), and the rehabilitation of Zambia Railways.

Rail's role in national transport

Currently, Zambia's national road network carries the majority of the country's exported goods. According to the Zambia Statistics Agency, roads handled 79.5 percent of the volume of goods exported between January and August 2026, highlighting the need for rail improvements.

New rail projects underway

A new 830-kilometer rail line connecting Zambia and Angola is part of the country's efforts to revive its rail system. The Africa Finance Corporation recently selected preferred bidders for construction contracts, with negotiations expected to start in November and agreements potentially signed within 8 to 12 weeks.

Funding and goals for rail revival

The restoration of the TAZARA railway relies on a concession plan that includes 1.4 billion USD in investments for infrastructure and rolling stock. The goal is to achieve 1.2 million tons of annual freight by 2029-2030. In the short term, the 2026-2027 budget includes 20.45 million USD in government subsidies for the rail authority.