07 Feb 2017

The on-going Kazungula bridge project is an example of strong bi-lateral relations that exist between Botswana and Zambia.

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama and his Zambian counterpart, Mr Edgar Lungu toured the bridge project site yesterday as part of President Lungu’s two-day state visit.

President Khama talked about the deep historical ties that existed between Botswana and Zambia, emphasising the need to strengthen these ties further, both economically and politically.

He noted that the co- funded Kazungula bridge project would not only bring the two countries  closer to one another but will integrate and industrialise the Southern African region as a whole.

President Lungu on one hand emphasised the role that Kazungula Bridge would play in ensuring that Africa trade within itself.  “We anticipate more trade within Southern African Development Community (SADC) as well as trade with the rest of Africa,” he noted.

Regarding the project, President Lungu appreciated environmental challenges that faced Botswana in constructing the railway component of the bridge in a wildlife and tourist area such as Chobe district.

“We should not sacrifice conservation and nature for the sake of development so we must find a balance between these two,” he said.

Botswana’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Kitso Mokaila, talked about the need to be mindful of environmental conservation and ensuring that  there was no disturbance to the ecosystem while constructing  the rail component of the bridge.

Kazungula Bridge is co-funded by both the governments of Zambia and Botswana as well as the African Development Bank.

The project is being carried out in three phases with the first phase being construction of the bridge expected to have a railway line component to it.

The 923 meters long bridge would help in reduction of transit time, integration of the economies served by the north-south corridor, as well as increased revenue for the two countries.

The project is expected to be completed in 2019. ENDS