Botswana
ZAMBIA-BOTSWANA KEY FIGURES
| Kazungula Bridge Cost | Bridge Length | Commissioned | Co-Financiers |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD 260 million | 923 metres | May 10, 2021 | Botswana, Zambia, AfDB |
The Kazungula Bridge, a USD 260 million, 923-metre crossing over the Zambezi River co-financed by Botswana, Zambia and the African Development Bank, has transformed trade between the two countries since its commissioning on May 10, 2021, replacing a pontoon crossing that previously left trucks waiting up to 15 days for clearance.
The bridge and its two one-stop border facilities support trade along the North-South Corridor and the Trans-African Highway’s Cape to Cairo route, with a dedicated Kazungula Bridge Authority since established to manage the crossing and maximise its benefits under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The Kazungula Bridge
The Kazungula Bridge is a USD 260 million project co-financed by Botswana, Zambia and the African Development Bank, commissioned on May 10, 2021 by the presidents of Zambia and Botswana[1]. The 923-metre bridge, with one-stop border facilities on either side, replaced a pontoon crossing over the Zambezi River that, despite taking only 10 to 15 minutes itself, could leave trucks waiting up to 15 days for clearance[1].
Trade Corridor Significance
The bridge and its One-Stop Border Posts support trade and transport along the North-South Corridor and the Trans-African Highway’s Cape to Cairo route, a key transport artery stretching from Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo to Durban, South Africa, and provides impetus to the African Continental Free Trade Area[1]. Botswana and Zambia have since established a Kazungula Bridge Authority to manage the bridge and its surrounding infrastructure and maximise its benefits under AfCFTA[2].
Investment Opportunities
Traffic across the Kazungula Bridge has increased significantly since commissioning, with the new Bridge Authority structure aimed at further improving efficiency, pointing to continued growth in cross-border logistics, warehousing and trade services demand along this corridor, detailed further on the dedicated Transport and Trade pages[1][2].
Last Update: September 2026
