The Lusaka–Ndola Dual Carriageway is being constructed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement that places no direct financial burden on the Zambian Government, according to project updates shared during a recent on-site inspection.
The road, one of Zambia’s most strategically important transport corridors, links the capital to the Copperbelt Province — the country’s economic and mining hub — and is expected to significantly ease congestion and cut travel times along one of the busiest routes in the country.
Project Cost and Structure
The carriageway is being delivered at an estimated cost of approximately 650 million US dollars, financed and constructed through a PPP model. Under this arrangement, private investors fund the upfront construction costs, typically recovering their investment over time through mechanisms such as toll collection, rather than through direct government expenditure.
PPP structures have increasingly been used globally — and in Zambia — for large-scale infrastructure projects, allowing governments to expand critical infrastructure without immediately drawing on public funds or increasing debt exposure.
Why the Road Matters
The Lusaka–Ndola corridor carries a significant share of Zambia’s commercial traffic, including freight moving between the capital and the Copperbelt’s mining and industrial centres. A modern dual carriageway is expected to:
- Reduce travel times between Lusaka and Ndola
- Improve road safety by separating opposing traffic flows
- Support smoother movement of goods and services, benefiting trade and commerce
- Ease congestion on a route that has historically experienced heavy traffic volumes and accidents
Local Community Development
During the site visit, a separate development saw four volunteer nurses working in the area near the 10 Miles section of the road brought into the public service, effective the following month — a move that adds to ongoing efforts to formalise volunteer health workers into permanent government employment.
Looking Ahead
Once completed, the Lusaka–Ndola Dual Carriageway is expected to stand as one of the more significant infrastructure investments delivered through a PPP model in Zambia, offering a case study in how public infrastructure can be expanded through private capital participation.