Reference

The TAZARA Railway, also known as the Uhuru or Tanzam Railway, was constructed for several key reasons:

1. Access to the Coast: Zambia, being landlocked, needed an alternative export route to bypass the rail lines through Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), South Africa, and Mozambique, especially given the geopolitical tensions of the time. The railway provided a direct link to the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam.

2. Economic Development: The railway was aimed at promoting economic development and facilitating trade between Tanzania and Zambia, boosting regional economic integration.

3. Political Independence: By constructing the railway, the countries aimed to reduce reliance on routes controlled by colonial powers and apartheid regimes, enhancing their political and economic independence.

4. Sino-African Relations: The construction was also a symbol of friendship and cooperation between China and the African countries involved, as China provided financial and technical assistance for the project.

For more detailed information, you can visit the Zambian Observer or check the Wikipedia page.