Zambia Railways, the master of cargo Hauling

          Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) traces its legal incorporation to 1982 under the Railways Act. However, the rail line that serves Ndola is much older, it is a colonial era railway through Rhodesia Railways that built the line to Ndola/Sakania by 1909.

ZRL operates both freight and passenger services: its freight network links the Copperbelt, including Ndola to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and to Zambian ports/roads.

          Passenger services are more limited but include mixed trains and ordinary trains on certain routes.

At Ndola, ZRL maintains station facilities and links freight movement from the Copperbelt to the DRC via Sakania, making Ndola a key node in Zambia’s rail logistics system.

          Through Ndola, ZRL supports movement of mineral exports such as copper and cobalt from the region and inbound industrial inputs, thereby supporting Zambia’s mining economy and regional trade.

The rail-link adds modality to logistics by providing rail as an alternative to road, which helps relieve road congestion and transport costs in the mining/logistics corridor.

Recent rehabilitation efforts on the Ndola–Kapiri Mposhi link indicate the strategic importance of this rail axis for tourism, freight, and regional connectivity.