In the heart of Southern Africa, across the Zambezi River, spans the Kazungula bridge. The bridge is rail and road between Zambia and Botswana.

The Kazungula bridge is 923- metres – long (3,028ft) by 18.5 metres wide (61 ft) and has a longest span of 129 meters (9423 ft). The bridge links the town of Kazungula in Zambia with Kasane town in Botswana. It features a single track between two traffic lanes and walkways for pedestrians.

Before the bridge was opened up in May 2021, direct traffic between the two countries was only possible by ferry (commuter boats) and it was the largest ferry in the region with a capacity of 70 tonnes, ferrying cargo and people across the Zambezi to Kasane or Kazungula.

In August 2007, the government of Zambia and Botswana announced a deal to construct a bridge to replace the existing ferry and thus the 259.3 million United States dollar project commenced. The construction project which included international border facilities in Zambia and Botswana officially began on October 12, 2014 and was completed on May 10, 2021.

The Kazungula bridge was constructed with expectations to divide and boost the regional economy through increased traffic throughout the North-South Corridor, a key route linking the post of Durban in South Africa to Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Dr Congo and end up in Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania.

In a diplomatic momentous move, President Hakainde Hichilema accepted an invitation from his Botswanan Counterpart Mokgweetsi Masisi to discuss issues that foster development between countries.

Thus, on January 24, 2024, President Hichilema embarked on a visit to Kasane, in Botswana upon the invitation of President Masisi. Upon arrival at Kasane international airport, the President who was accompanied by some cabinet ministers, among them included Acting Foreign Affairs and international cooperation Minister Mulambo Haimbe, infrastructure and Housing Minister Charles Milupi, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga, Fisheries and livestock Minister Makozo Chikote was received by his counterpart.

His home away from home was the Chobe Game lodge, which is located right inside the national park and occupies an enviable position of the Chobe River. Before undertaking the day’s activities, the Heads of State held private talks that lasted over 45 minutes.

The two leaders then proceeded to engage in high-level discussions focusing on mutual economic interests, trade partnerships, and collaborative initiatives to address shared regional challenges.

The visit not only emphasized regional collaboration but also marked the formulation of the Kazungula Bridge Authority, a significant step towards enhancing cross-border connectivity.

Disclosing the formulation of the Authority at a joint press briefing, President Masisi stated that the two governments agreed to set the headquarters of the Kazungula bridge Authority in Botswana while the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will be a Zambian.

President Masisi emphasized that the Authority will set clear guidelines that will improve service delivery at the border. The Authority will also be expected to address ways of how to expand and widen access roads, and install enhanced ICT technology to make service delivery easy.  

“the Kazungula bridge authority has also been tasked to proceed as quickly as possible to ensure that the access roads to the bridge facilities are widened and made convenient,” he outlined.

He also disclosed that both governments have agreed to install enhanced ICT technology that will input efficiency with time spent to clear and also to enhance security around the border.

“the Authority has also been tasked not only to compare ourselves as the best in Africa, but to compete globally with other countries in terms of efficiency, we expect this facility to be a facility of choice,” he said.  

The newly formed Kazungula Bridge Authority is set to play a pivotal role in ensuring the efficient operation and maintenance of the critical border-crossing infrastructure. The collaboration reflects the commitment of both nations to fostering economic growth, regional integration and facilitating the movement of goods and people.

In agreement, President Hichilema expressed optimism about the prospects for increased trade and enhanced regional connectivity, emphasizing the importance of such partnerships in driving socio-economic development.

He was hopeful that with the formation of the Authority, issues of delayed traffic especially on the Zambian side will be solved.

“We are delaying traffic at the border especially at the Zambian side, we want this to stop and hence the reason for our meeting, we want the Authority to  set clear guidelines that will improve services at the border,” he said.

President Hichilema revealed that Ministers in respective sectors have been delegated to ensure all outstanding formalities to operationalize the Authority to make it a legal entity are completed within two months.

He further placed emphasis on valuing the bridge as it is a regional asset that facilitates smoother trade and travel and enables countries to grow economies.

“lives were lost, time was spent, to carry goods across the Zambezi river so this bridge is a great asset and hence we need to value it because it is a regional asset that facilitates trade and with the speedy movement of goods it will help us grow our economies,” he said.

He said the Kazungula bridge is a regional project that is commonly discussed under the African GateWay Project Infrastructure.

Later during the day, the two Presidents toured the Kazungula one stop border post to appreciate the challenges encountered in the movement of cargo and people.

The tour of the border on both sides provided the Heads of State the task to brainstorm whether to allow the border to operate on a 24 hours basis.

During the conducted tour, both officials from the Revenue Authorities outlined lack of standardized ICT as a challenge that hinders free flow of traffic

Botswana Revenue Commissioner General Janet Makgolo revealed that they are currently managing to clear and scan 220 trucks per day and that with improved scales they could process more.

She said the Botswana Revenue Authority is discussing ways of acquiring advanced scales as well as mobile scales to improve efficiency.

“The reason we are discussing scales is to facilitate the free flow of trucks because many are the times that we have a long que of trucks and we want to deal with them as quickly as possible,” she explained as the two Presidents listened.

She indicated that lack of operational efficiency is a setback to many businesses in the region because they incur a lot of cost in doing their business due to time spent at the border.

A highlight of the visit was also the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Immigration Technical Cooperation which were signed by two Countries Foreign Affair Ministers. Botswana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Lemogang Kwape signed on behalf of that country while Zambia’ Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and international cooperation signed on behalf of the government.

As the visit drew to a conclusion, President Hichilema described the visit as fruitful with promises of more future cooperation. He also indicated that the trip was necessary for discussions of mutual agreements that benefit both nations.

The visit and the establishment of the Kazungula Bridge Authority signal a new chapter in the relationship between Zambia and Botswana, showcasing the power of collaboration in addressing common challenges and unlocking shared opportunities.