Rail and road are the most important modes of transportation. The main transit routes rely on shipments through ports in Tanzania, South Africa, and Mozambique which average between 2,000 and 2,500 kms from Zambia. The transport network comprises approximately 35,000 km of roads and 2,000 km of railways. Zambia has two railways operated by two different entities. Km of this track is main line, with the rest comprising branch lines.
All lines are single track.
Traffic volumes have decreased in recent years although the privatisation of the copper mines presents improved prospects. Mulobezi Railway is owned by the Ministry of Communications. The potential for tourist development is to be investigated. In 1998, the Zambian Government issued a directive that Zambia Railways and Mulobezi Railways should be commercialised while the possibility of entering into concessions for some operations should be explored. A Cabinet decision is awaited on the form of the concessioning.