CHINA TO FUND US$1.2bn ZAMBIAN HIGHWAY

Zambia has launched construction of the 321-kilometer Lusaka-Ndola dual carriageway that connects the southern and central parts of the country to the mining towns in the Copperbelt province.

The mega-road project which will be constructed by China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Cooperation (CJIC) at a cost of  US$1.2bn, is funded by a loan from China’s Exim Bank.

The new road when completed will improve the flow of traffic and drastically reduce accidents on the current narrow road, and will also  improve traffic to and from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other countries in region.

During the ceremonial launching of the construction, Zambian President Edgar Lungu said “Increased traffic on our roads due to the booming economic activities in various sectors, especially in the mining sector, requires an appropriate response such as this one.”

Yang Youming, the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, said the construction of the dual carriageway will make the country a hub of transportation in the region.

“Located in the center of southern Africa, Zambia is poised to become a transportation hub for the region, and China is experienced in infrastructure development, leading in the world with work efficiency and project quality. I therefore see great prospect for China-Zambia cooperation in transportation infrastructure development.”