25 Jan 2024

Botswana and Zambia have reached an agreement to form the Kazungula Bridge Authority (KBA), aiming to enhance both countries’ competitiveness in global trade and investment.

Addressing a joint press conference at the bridge, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and Zambia President Mr Hakainde Hichilema announced that the authority would be headquartered in Botswana, with a Zambian national serving as the chief executive officer.

President Masisi said that the authority’s responsibilities would include the operation and maintenance of the bridge as well as  transforming the Kazungula One Stop Border Post into a preferred facility for travellers.

 He expressed confidence that with the establishment of the authority, the two nations would emerge as leaders within Africa and would be better positioned to compete globally for investment opportunities.

To ensure the effective functioning of the authority, President Masisi said relevant ministers from both countries would be tasked with addressing outstanding issues, such as developing a legal framework, establishing a functional budget and defining operational procedures.

Dr Masisi also highlighted plans to widen access roads to the bridge to facilitate smoother movement of goods, services, and travellers, thereby improving efficiency and reducing wait times for goods clearance at the facility. 

He stated that documentation and an operational framework for the authority would be signed in Livingstone, Zambia, within the next two months.

Mr Hichilema said the bridge was an asset contributing to economic integration within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, and facilitating the movement of goods and people. 

He noted the bridge’s impact on the two countries’ economies, creating employment opportunities for both Batswana and Zambians.

President Hichilema underlined the bridge’s importance as the gateway to the African continent and recalled the challenges faced when travellers had to use a pontoon to cross, resulting in loss of life over the years due to time and weather restrictions.

The two heads of state also toured the One Stop Border Post to observe its infrastructure and daily operations, and engaged with the staff members. ENDS