OSBP project connecting Zambia and DRC makes headway

Africa may be in dire need of infrastructure, but it is well advised to use existing infrastructure to its benefit, adding to what it has rather than building new, to ensure it delivers efficient logistics solutions. According to Klaus Findt, CEO of GED Africa, which is running the single biggest European project in African infrastructure at the moment, much can be achieved with existing infrastructure. The GED Africa Route Project is a regional corridor development initiative to link Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a one-stop border post (OSBP). “We are building cross-border infrastructure and, to deliver, we are using the existing road networks in the DRC and Zambia, simply connecting them by building a new highway of 184km with a bridge over the Luapula River.” He said site works on the 362-metre cable-stayed bridge that will connect the two countries have already started, with completion of the project on track for the first quarter of 2027. Commissioning of the road and bridge is expected no later than the middle of next year. “These types of projects, particularly when they involve more than one country, are complex and difficult. They are often unique, situated in remote areas and involve multiple stakeholders.” He said with this in mind it made sense to involve role- players around the negotiating table from early on. “In the case of this particular project, our learning curve has been very steep. We are going to use the lessons learnt in future projects, making sure we can adapt and improve, delivering projects faster while investing more.” According to Findt, the issue around funding is critical when it comes to projects on the continent. “They are expensive, and without government guarantees, difficult to deliver. For the route project we have managed to secure 100% funding, which has made a major difference to project delivery. Also, because it is fully funded by one single company, we have far more flexibility than many other project developers.” He said some aspects were also not as complex or difficult as one might think. “Identify and then pick the low-hanging fruit,” he said. “Some things are quite simple, even common sense, to fix before one goes to the next level. For example, we have negotiated extensively with both governments on the operational aspect of the OSBP first.” He said this ensured that the infrastructure ultimately delivered would speak directly to the needs of the people on the ground. “We have made sure we know what they need and who will be doing what. In other words, we are responsible for transparency and for infrastructure. We will ensure there is power and internet access at all times. If the laptop is broken, we get another one. This takes discussions away from waiting times of ten days and breaks it down to minutes.” He said the target was for copper trucks leaving the DRC not to spend longer than 25 minutes at the border. LV