On 1 July 1965 the Chinese Government made a firm offer of tied aid to the Governments of Tanzania and Zambia, worth £75 million and £150 million to enable them to build the railway line.
1965年7月1日，中华人民共和国政府对坦桑尼亚政府和赞比亚政府提供不附带条件的援助，总额分别达到7500万英镑和1亿5000万英镑，以修建该铁路。