Road Networks and the Export Market:
A Lifeline Taken for Granted
To most of us, the Zambian road network is simply an interconnection of pathways that allows us to travel from one point to another. For the general motorist, these roads are made of asphalt. However, for those in the transport and logistics sector, the road network is the lifeblood of their business and, ultimately, their survival. Zambia’s roads are a lifeline for importers, exporters, and intercity transporters—responsible for transporting an estimated 40% of the country’s total exports.
According to a Zamstats report, the cumulative total trade from January to May 2024 was K214.4 billion, marking an impressive 27.6 per cent increase compared to 2023’s K168.1 billion. This increase can be attributed to Zambia’s growing reputation for having some of the region’s safest and most reliable highways. The security of Zambian roads makes them an attractive choice for efficient haulage.
With eight international borders, Zambia is advantageously positioned as a hub and interchange for north-south and east-west regional trade traffic. Its unparalleled land-linked status enables the movement of goods to several coastal ports in Tanzania (Dar es Salaam), Namibia (Walvis Bay), Mozambique (Beira), South Africa (Durban), and Angola (Luanda). These ports are critical for exporting copper, agricultural products, and manufactured goods to overseas markets.
A key driver in the growth of road network infrastructure has been the successful implementation of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). This model allows the government and private sector to work symbiotically in building, maintaining, and expanding national road networks. PPPs help address funding gaps, attracting private investment in road infrastructure. In late 2023, the Zambian government replaced the existing PPP Act with a more efficient version, clarifying timelines for the various stages of procuring a PPP.
The Road Development Agency (RDA), established under the Public Roads Act No. 12 of 2002, is at the helm of Zambia’s road development. The RDA’s mandate is to oversee the care, maintenance, and construction of public roads while also regulating maximum permissible vehicle weights on these roads. According to Anthony Mulowa, the RDA’s Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs, PPP projects in Zambia have set a precedent for success in the region, with neighbouring countries looking to follow Zambia’s model.
Several PPP projects are already underway or in the pipeline. These include the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway Project, which involves upgrading 327 kilometres of road between Lusaka and Ndola. Other projects include the Ndola-Mufulira Road and the Sakania Border Infrastructure Project, which will see the upgrade of 55 kilometres of the Ndola-Sakania-Mufulira road. In Eastern Province, the Katete-Chanida Road and Border Infrastructure Project covers the upgrade of 55 kilometres of road and border facilities. North-Western Province, informally known as the “New Copperbelt,” will benefit from the Lumwana-Kambimba Border Project, covering an 85-kilometre stretch of road. With signed agreements between February and October 2023, these PPP projects have 22 to 25 years of concession periods and a total construction cost of nearly USD 924 million.
From the private side, a representative from AnChiCon, a major player in developing several PPP proposals, expressed optimism about Zambia’s road infrastructure. Zambia’s export sector, particularly in mining and agriculture, is expected to expand, increasing the demand for reliable road infrastructure. To manage this growth sustainably, the country will require continuous investment in road construction and logistics infrastructure, including railways, border facilities, and inland ports. Robust and sustainable road maintenance policies will also be crucial in maintaining Zambia’s success in the export market. By participating in regional trade agreements and facilitation initiatives, Zambia can strengthen its position as a key transit point for exports from neighbouring landlocked countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.
The future of Zambia’s road sector looks bright. The groundwork has been laid, and the country’s success with PPPs continues to set an example for the region. Zambia is poised to remain a road and logistics infrastructure leader for years to come.
With that said, Zambia’s road, transport, and logistics sector hold great promise. The export market and road network development trajectory shows that PPPs are a proactive, pragmatic, and proven solution for success.
