Presidents Edgar Lungu and Mokgweetsi Masisi inaugurated the Kazungula Bridge, which stretches one kilometer between Zambia and Botswana. The two heads of state were accompanied by their counterpart from the DRC, Félix Tshisekedi.
As President of the African Union, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, cut the ribbon of the new Kazungula Bridge. The structure that will connect Zambia and Botswana stretches 923 meters across the Zambezi. The bridge is of great importance to the economy of both countries. It would also have an impact on the geostrategic balances of southern Africa.
#RDC 10.05.2021 |#livingstone
At the invitation of his Zambian counterpart, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the Head of State, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo took part, as guest of honor, in the inauguration ceremony of the Kazungula bridge, 923 m long, connecting Zambia to Botswana. pic.twitter.com/uAiMeJQ6T6- DRC Presidency 🇨🇩 (@Presidence_RDC) May 10, 2021
The end of foreign taxes?
In the past, Zambia and Botswana traded via sea transport. However, the ferries could not carry all of the goods moving between the two countries. In fact, 67% of the flows went through Namibian and South African carriers. The latter provided transport across Zimbabwe.
So the two countries, especially Zambia, spent up to $ 173 million in transportation costs. However, if we consider the checks cashed by non-African countries in addition, the sum was three times greater.
Indian, European and Israeli transport companies collected almost $ 200 million a year. In addition, India, Belgium and South Africa obtained a large share of the goods transported at low prices. This could be explained by the charter costs which were shared with the receiving countries.
With the opening of the Kazungula Bridge, several factors are likely to change. First, some players will lose their privileges for certain goods. For example, Zambian oil and agricultural products, which were exported to Europe and India, may target a local market. Likewise, Botswana diamonds, copper and natural gas are said to be more successful in the African market. For two decades, these resources were sold to Belgium, France and the Zionist entity.
Today marks a historic day. #KazungulaBridge 🇧🇼 🇿🇲
- Dr. Mokgweetsi EK Masisi (@OfficialMasisi) May 10, 2021
The challenge of continuity
During the inauguration, Edgar Lungu said, “This bridge will reduce the cost of doing business. It will encourage competitiveness and job creation. ", he said. In the case of Zambia, these facts could prove to be real. The country depended on the food economy and foreign investors. Zambia compensates for its lack of infrastructure by importing resources that Botswana exports up to 65% in the case of gas, for example.
For his part, President Masisi affirmed the immediate importance of "demonstrating the continuation of growing bilateral relations," he said. Botswana is suffering from an agricultural commodity crisis, the worst country in southern Africa. Due to dependence on South Africa, and the lack of access to the sea, drought is often fatal for people in the west of the country. This is a problem that Zambia could remedy.
However, these projects could not come to fruition with good faith alone. Both countries, particularly Zambia, suffer from deficiencies in internal infrastructure. In addition, the absence of agricultural collectives in Zambia subjects entrepreneurs to foreign entryism. The state is not even present in rural areas.
Nonetheless, the $ 259 million project has been delayed several times since 2014. It was only after the intervention of a Japanese investor, JICA, that the construction was possible. However, the effectiveness of the Kazungula Bridge can only materialize after the completion of the railway which will be built on both sides. However, this last project is carried by a Chinese company via the African Development Bank (AfDB). Therefore, the achievement of the objectives of this collaboration between the two countries will only see the light of day if the African States hold the absolute rights to operate these infrastructures. Given the nature of Chinese infrastructure financing in Africa, this detail could be the real challenge in achieving true collaboration.