Zambian Government Chooses New Strategy To Upgrade Highway

Zambia has opted for a new strategy in upgrading a major highway that connects the country to the rest of the southern African region.

The government terminated a $1.2bn contract with China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Cooperation (CJIC) last year to reconstruct and expand the 327km-long dual carriageway between Lusaka and the Copperbelt and northwest mineral-rich provinces.

The route is responsible for 42% of Zambia's road traffic volume and serves as the only route from Southern Africa to the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as an important link to East Africa.

Zambia's new deal aims to balance the financial risks of the revamp while supporting its economic objectives.

The revised project involves rehabilitating a 45km road to the Copperbelt province and bypassing the provincial capital, Ndola. The country hopes that the revised approach will enable it to walk a debt tightrope and achieve its economic goals, given that the route is vital to its economic growth.

The new agreement will allow Zambia to manage its debt while ensuring that the highway remains functional and supports regional integration. This development is expected to contribute to the country's infrastructure development, which is critical for its economic growth and regional integration.

Photo: Reuters