Zambia: EU-backed Rail to Boost Tourism Circuits

A major infrastructure push by the European Union is set to transform Zambia’s travel landscape, opening up exciting new opportunities for African travel agents. The EU’s renewed commitment to revitalizing Zambia Railways, along with key border facilities, promises to significantly enhance travel connectivity and boost regional tourism.

Henrik Hololei, a high-ranking advisor at the European Commission, stressed the importance of robust infrastructure for economic growth. Speaking at the Land-Linked Zambia 2025 conference, he detailed how this initiative goes beyond simply upgrading rail lines. It includes modernizing border processes, creating streamlined customs procedures, and fostering the development of economic zones, industrial parks, and logistics hubs. These improvements are designed to facilitate the smooth and efficient movement of both goods and people, directly benefiting the travel and tourism sector.

Zambia’s potential as a regional transport hub is immense, according to Hololei. Its strategic location, bordered by eight countries (or nine including its shared water boundary with Burundi via Lake Tanganyika), positions it perfectly to become a “land-linked” nation, a vital nexus for trade and transit. This transformation will unlock significant opportunities for travel agents to craft new and compelling itineraries.

The EU’s vision emphasizes sustainability, smart technologies, and innovation. This includes integrating digital solutions to minimize transit times, reduce operational costs, and lessen environmental impact. Such advancements will make travel within the region more efficient, affordable, and environmentally responsible, appealing to a growing segment of conscious travelers.

Hololei highlighted two key corridors poised for transformative change. The Lobito Corridor, connecting the Atlantic port of Lobito in Angola through the southern Democratic Republic of Congo into Zambia, offers a strategic and efficient route to global markets. This corridor opens up access to a diverse range of attractions and experiences, creating exciting new possibilities for travel agents to curate unique itineraries.

The North-South Corridor, running from Lubumbashi to Durban, positions Zambia Railways as a central link in the regional network. This route is expected to dramatically improve trade and travel within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, facilitating easier movement between countries and fostering greater regional integration. Travel agents can leverage this enhanced connectivity to develop multi-country tours and packages, catering to a wider range of traveler interests.

This infrastructure investment isn’t just about steel and concrete; it’s about investing in Zambia’s future and its integration into the global economy. By streamlining transport and logistics, the initiative will stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and enhance local communities. For travel agents, this translates into a more vibrant and prosperous tourism landscape, ripe with opportunities to expand their businesses and offer innovative travel products.

Hololei emphasized that these corridors must be viewed as multi-dimensional systems, incorporating not only physical infrastructure but also digital technologies and human capital development. Investing in the workforce is crucial to meeting the demands of a dynamic economic landscape and ensuring that the benefits of this transformation are shared widely.

The EU’s commitment extends beyond railways to include air connectivity. Developing air travel for both passengers and cargo will further enhance Zambia’s accessibility and open up new avenues for tourism growth. Travel agents can capitalize on these developments by offering a wider range of travel options, including fly-in safaris and combined air-rail itineraries.

This comprehensive approach to infrastructure development, with its focus on sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity, is set to reshape the travel landscape in Zambia and the wider region. African travel agents are uniquely positioned to benefit from these advancements, creating exciting new travel experiences and contributing to a more connected and prosperous future for the continent.