Party stalwart, Mubanga, projects 24-hour economy as Kazungula Bridge Authority launched

Dr. Kafula Mubanga of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has urged Zambian youths and the private sector to prepare for economic opportunities under what he calls the emerging “24-hour economy.”

Mubanga said the 24-hour economic model is expected to gain full momentum following the commissioning of the Kazungula Bridge Authority by Hakainde Hichilema, arguing that it would become a major engine for job creation in both Zambia and Botswana.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, he praised the joint leadership of Zambia and Botswana for turning the long-held “dream of borderless trade” into a practical reality through enhanced cross-border operations.

Mubanga said the transition to 24-hour operations will dismantle long-standing logistical obstacles. He cited projections showing that daily fuel tanker crossings were expected to rise sharply from 80 to more than 180, creating more than 6,000 direct and indirect jobs in various sectors.

“Approximately 1,500 jobs for clearing agents, forwarding experts, and electronic cargo scanners. This increase will significantly stabilize national energy reserves,” he said.

He added that the number of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) using the corridor was projected to surge from an average of 300 to about 1,000 trucks per day, positioning the North-South Corridor as the premier trade route within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

Mubanga further projected that tolls and transit fees could generate an estimated US$65 million annually. By 2031, the cumulative economic contribution to national revenue could reach roughly US$350 million.

“These funds will be critical in managing national debt and funding domestic infrastructure without relying on external borrowing. Zambia is officially open for business—all day, and all night,” he said.

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