may11, 2021

Anna Murray 

On May 11 two neighboring nations in Southern Africa, Botswana and Zambia, officially opened the 930-meter-long and 18.5-meter-wide road-rail Kazungula Bridge. Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi and Zambian President Edgar Lungu both presided over the opening ceremony for the bridge. African Union (AU) Chairperson and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi, Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chairperson and Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi, and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa also attended this monumental occasion. The ceremony was also witnessed by Namibia Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba and Eswatini Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku.

Kazungula Bridge is a prominent multi-national infrastructure improvement in the North-South Corridor linking Botswana and Zambia over the Zambezi River, one of the busiest border crossings in the southern African region, to upgrade the river ferry and a one-stop border post at Kazungula. Kazungula Bridge is a milestone project of US$ 260 million co-financed by both Zambian and Botswana governments in tandem with the AU goals and priority for Agenda 2063 for a prosperous Africa. DRC President Tshisekedi praised the new bridge will not only promote trade and commerce between Zambian and Botswana but also boost the economic activities and prospects of other nations in the SADC region.

Construction of this aesthetic and modern multiple-span cable-stayed bridge by Korean Daewoo Engineering and Construction commenced in November 2015. During the inauguration speech, Zambian President Lungu acknowledges financial support from the governments of China, Japan, and South Korea, and the African Development Bank. Kazungula Bridge will significantly serve to facilitate trade in the entire southern African region.

Photo:webshot.