10 May 2021

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has described the multi-million Kazungula Bridge as a testimony that Zambia is Botswana’s key development partner and of the close bilateral relations between the two countries.

 He was speaking yesterday at the commissioning of the project by African Union (AU) chairperson and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) president, Mr Felix Tshisekedi.

 President Masisi said the bridge, located at a point where Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia meet, had historical significance to the liberation of southern Africa as it was constructed close to the only safe gateway for refugees.

 The bridge, he said, was expected to contribute towards enhancing the livelihoods of  citizens and facilitate inter-regional trade. 

 Dr Masisi noted that Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe governments had agreed in principle to be partners in the bridge revealing that officials were working on the completion of remaining works by Zimbabwe.

He said Botswana was optimistic that the bridge would create jobs as goods from Lesotho, Eswatini, Angola, DRC, South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and other countries beyond would use it.

It was therefore a symbolism of African Free Trade Agreement, he said.

The President said the bridge would provide business opportunities for young people in southern Africa and beyond. 

He also informed the gathering that Botswana would in September host the first Forbes  Under 30 Summit in Gaborone and Kasane which would attract over 600 young people across the world.

For his part, President Edgar Lungu of Zambia said the bridge would decongest traffic at Kazungula and contribute to the development of the two countries as well as the SADC region.

Mr Lungu applauded citizens of the two countries for their patience and hard work during the construction of the bridge, which he said would operate 22 hours daily.

 According to President Tshisekedi, the bridge was in line with the AU objective of creating an African single market and a response to the continent’s vision of infrastructure development. 

 He commended Botswana and Zambia for the achievement saying it was an inspiration to other African states.

 The P1.9 million three-phased project, which commenced in 2014, consists of the bridge  and a one-stop border post in each of the two countries. Ends