Zambia's Minister of Transport and Logistics Frank Tayali said the railway's revitalization aligns with the government's vision of becoming a land-linked nation and a logistics hub in southern and central Africa. The railway, known as "the road to freedom", is expected to boost regional trade, create jobs and support shared prosperity.

Bruno Ching'andu, managing director of the TAZARA authority, said that following the upgrading of China-Tanzania and China-Zambia relations to comprehensive strategic cooperative partnerships, the railway will take on an even greater role — not just in transport but as a key link in regional connectivity and Belt and Road cooperation.