The Government of Zambia has signed a US$50 million cooperation agreement with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa to further enhance regional connectivity and economic growth within the sub-region. The agreement will be used to build the Kalabo-Sikongo-Angola Road Project in the Western Province of Zambia. This will, in fact, upgrade the road network between the two countries of Zambia and Angola, increasing cross-border trade and unlocking new economic opportunities in the sub-region.
The President of BADEA, Sidi Ould Tah, and Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, signed the agreement on Sunday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A separate deal for US$500,000 was inked regarding capacity building in addition to the road project. The purpose of the second agreement is to enhance Zambia’s institutional capacity by providing training to public workers in key priority sectors of the government, including energy development, commerce, finance, and other areas.
The Kalabo-Sikongo-Angola Road Project, according to Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane, will significantly contribute to Zambia’s development objectives of sustained industrial growth, improved infrastructure, and general economic expansion. The minister expressed optimism that the route would help the livelihoods of those living in Zambia’s most remote and impoverished border regions, Kalabo, Sikongo, and Angola.
This road network will create more employment opportunities, increase cross-border trade, and lift many in the region above the poverty line,” said Musokotwane. He indicated that with improved infrastructure, it would be easy to move goods and people, especially during the rainy season when most remote communities become isolated due to impassable roads.
The new road will have long-lasting positive impacts on both Zambia and Angola through this improved interconnectivity, he said; it will reinforce and strengthen trade relations between the two immediate neighbors and spur regional integration and cooperation. He said that this merely fits into the broader strategic goals of Zambia of strengthening economic ties with neighboring countries and supporting regional development.
Equally, the commitment of the Zambian government towards infrastructure development as a key driver of economic progress in this road project is reflected. This helps open better transportation links that would enable local businesses to reach wider markets and encourage more investments in the region. For many communities, especially those in the Western Province, this road could be a lifeline, connecting them to basic services, markets, and jobs.
BADEA President Sidi Ould Tah then reiterated Musokotwane, saying that the road project was part of the development agenda for Zambia. “These agreements represent the shared vision and a shared belief in the potential of Zambia to be one of the leading regional players in Africa,” said Tah during the signing of the instruments. He added that investment is needed not only in physical infrastructure but also in human capital, and he emphasized the complementary capacity-building agreement.
The capacity-building initiative, valued at US$500,000, will be executed to equip Zambian public officials with the essential skills and expertise to manage and implement numerous projects in critical sectors such as finance, commerce, and energy. This will help certain government employees become more proficient in order to guarantee that the numerous development initiatives that fall under the purview of the nation are completed efficiently and sustainably.
The Kalabo-Sikongo-Angola Road Project is perhaps the most significant development in the region, directly impacting the lives of hundreds of people in Western Province, Zambia. The road will make trade easier, create jobs, and generally connect the region together. Capacity building in respect to this agreement underscores Zambia’s commitment toward long-term growth by equipping its public officials with relevant skills to navigate the complexities of economic development. Such a step by BADEA demonstrates potential in further infrastructure and human capital development for Zambia.
