Zambia is working with
the private sector to
invest in the country’s road
infrastructure in order to
support economic growth which
is forecast to grow between
7.5% and 8% annually over the
next five years.
The goal of the “Link Zambia
8000 Project” is to build 8 000
km of high-quality single and
dual lane roads throughout the
country over next five years, at a
cost of over US$5 billion.
Work has already started on
Phase 1 of the project. Zambia
raised a
US$750-
million
Eurobond in
September
2012 to
finance
infrastructure projects.
Priority freight toll routes
identified by the Roads
Development Agency (RDA)
include Solwezi to Kazungula
(with a spur to Kasumbalesa);
Kapiri Mposhi to Nakonde; and
Lusaka to Mchinji via Chipata.
“Developed and managed
properly, this project could
make Zambia a transportation
hub for Southern Africa,” says
the United States Department
of State.
It has urged US companies to
become involved.
“The RDA has invited
world-class American
road construction project
management companies to
take part in
this growth
opportunity.
In addition
to roads, the
construction
sector in
Zambia offers opportunities
in housing, urban planning
and power generation and
distribution. Other growth
sectors in Zambia include
mining, agriculture, energy,
transportation and water
management,” it says.
Zambia depends on its road
network to ship mine inputs
and exports overseas through its
eight neighbouring countries.
The country’s neighbours are
also heavy users of Zambian
roads to provide a reliable and
shorter path to African ports,
says the State Department.
INSERT
7.5-8%
Estimated annual economic growth.
CAPTION
Convoys of trucks from the Copperbelt travelling through Zambia to
neighbouring port gateways.
