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Government says Zambia’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project portfolio has grown to US$14.2 billion, with 19 projects worth US$9.1 billion already signed and another 51 projects valued at US$5.1 billion in the pipeline.
Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, said the projects were expected to boost infrastructure development, create jobs and increase revenue generation for the country.
Speaking on the progress made in implementing PPP projects since August 2021 in Lusaka on Friday, Musokotwane said the signed projects span key sectors such as transport, logistics, trade, commerce and student accommodation.
Among the projects already underway is the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway, including the rehabilitation of the Luanshya–Fisenge–Masangano Road, valued at US$649 million.
The minister said the Luanshya–Fisenge–Masangano section has been completed and opened to the public, while works on the Lusaka–Ndola dual carriageway have reached 65 percent completion.
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“The project has so far created more than 3,600 direct jobs and generated subcontracting opportunities worth about US$50 million for local contractors,” according to Musokotwane.
He also highlighted the operational Chingola-Kasumbalesa Road project valued at US$35 million, the US$5 billion Lobito Railway, and the US$1.4 billion revitalisation of TAZARA.
Other projects include the Lumwana–Kambimba Road and Border Post project valued at US$118 million, the Sakania Border Post and Ndola–Mufulira Road project worth US$76 million, and the modernisation of the Kasumbalesa Border Post at a cost of US$110 million.
Musokotwane said the PPP programme also included student hostel projects at the University of Zambia and Mulungushi University valued at US$37 million and US$248 million respectively.
“The projects are projected to contribute about US$1.7 billion in tax revenue to the Treasury over the concession periods, while government is expected to realise more than US$460 million in direct earnings,” the minister said.
He added that the projects were expected to create more than 15,000 direct jobs and 30,000 indirect jobs, alongside business opportunities for local contractors estimated at over US$900 million through subcontracting arrangements.
Musokotwane said the PPP initiatives were also contributing to skills transfer for local engineers, technicians and supervisors, while strengthening government capacity in implementing and managing large-scale infrastructure partnerships.
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