Main content

The Road to Zambezi Street - Part Two

Zambia has the potential to be a trade hub, if it can improve its roads and railways. What needs to be done and how much will it cost? Peter Day reports.

Zambia has the potential to serve as a trade hub at the crossroads of southern Africa. It has abundant mineral wealth which is in demand all around the world, and it is strategically located in the middle of the continent.
But border delays, poor roads and trains that travel at an average of 20 km per hour – or 15, or 10, depending on who you talk to – mean that so far the country has failed to take advantage of its potential. The PF government has embarked on a massive spending programme designed to link the country with its neighbours and improve internal routes, but political opponents fear that poor governance and decision making could hold the country back.
Peter Day talks to traders, truck drivers and ministers to find out what Zambia needs to continue its recent record of economic growth.
Part 2 of 2.
Producer: Mike Wendling

Contributors

Truck drivers at Kazungula crossing, southern Zambia, and Kamwala Shopping Area, Lusaka.
Gilbert Temba, former president, Association of Zambian Mineral Exploration Companies
Guy Scott, Vice President of Zambia
Lee Habasonda, president, Zambian chapter of Transparency International
Father Frank Bwalya, leader, Alliance for a Better Zambia
Henry Chipewo, former managing director, Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority
Yamfwa Mukanga, Zambian transport and communications minister
Mupanga Mwanakatwe, chief executive, Zamtel
Robin Mearns, sector leader and sustainability expert, World Bank, Lusaka

Available now

29 minutes

Last on

Thu 12 Sep 2013 03:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 7 Sep 2013 01:32GMT
  • Sat 7 Sep 2013 07:32GMT
  • Sun 8 Sep 2013 18:32GMT
  • Wed 11 Sep 2013 14:32GMT
  • Wed 11 Sep 2013 23:32GMT
  • Thu 12 Sep 2013 03:32GMT

Advice For Entrepreneurs

What is the one piece of advice successful global entrepreneurs would offer?

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.