Reported by: The Agency Media.
Date: 16th April, 2025.
Lusaka, Zambia.
Zambia’s most ambitious infrastructure project—the $650 million Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway—is gaining momentum, with construction progress surpassing the 23% mark and tracking well ahead of its 2027 completion target.
Stretching 327 kilometers across key economic corridors, the dual carriageway is more than just a road—it’s a national artery set to reshape logistics, trade, and mobility between Zambia’s capital and its Copperbelt industrial hub.
Developed under a 25-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with the Macro-Ocean Investment Consortium, the project ensures not only upfront construction within three years, but also sustainable maintenance for 22 years post-completion—shifting the long-term burden off government shoulders while guaranteeing road quality.
Over 2,300 Zambians have already secured employment through the construction phases, injecting income into communities and enhancing local skill development in roadworks, logistics, and civil engineering.
To maximize efficiency, the project has been divided into four strategic construction segments—from Lusaka to Chibombo, Chibombo to Kapiri Mposhi, Kapiri Mposhi to Ndola, and the fully completed Masangano-Fisenge-Luanshya Road. This modular approach allows for simultaneous development across various sections, accelerating delivery while minimizing disruptions.
Key infrastructure enhancements include bypass roads in Kabwe and Kapiri Mposhi designed to decongest urban centers. The Kabwe bypass alone stretches 30 kilometers, diverting heavy through-traffic to improve urban safety and flow. A new bridge at the Kafubu crossing in Ndola will bring modern engineering standards to a vital link in the network.
The project also introduces smarter traffic regulation and toll systems. Three existing toll gates—Katuba, Manyumbi, and Kafulafuta—will be transferred to the concessionaire, while two additional gates are under development. New and upgraded weighbridges at Kafulafuta and Kapiri Mposhi will enhance enforcement, protect road quality, and regulate heavy transport more effectively.
Crucially, the Lusaka-Ndola Carriageway is being delivered under the United Party for National Development (UPND) government at nearly half the cost compared to earlier projections by the previous Patriotic Front (PF) administration. This demonstrates the current government’s strong commitment to cost-effective infrastructure delivery. With institutions such as NAPSA involved, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model not only ensures financial sustainability but also provides a clear investment recovery pathway while safeguarding public resources.
As one of Zambia’s largest infrastructure ventures, the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway is not just a transport project—it’s a platform for economic growth, employment, and innovation. It exemplifies how infrastructure, when strategically financed and locally executed, can pave the road to inclusive national development.
Picture Credit: The Falcon
The Agency