President Hichilema Officiates Groundbreaking of Western Corridor Road Project to Unlock Zambia’s Economic Potential
His Excellency, President Hakainde Hichilema, today officiated the groundbreaking ceremony of the Western Corridor Transformation Project, marking the official start of a landmark Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative with Western Corridor Limited (WCL). The SPV is jointly owned by BeefCo Limited and First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Limited.
The ceremony, held in Kasempa, was attended by senior government officials, including Minister of Finance and National Planning Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Mr. Chipoka Mulenga, Minister of Infrastructure and Urban Development Mr. Charles Milupi, RDA officials, traditional leaders, private sector partners, and local residents.
The project is a strategic private sector-led initiative aligned with the government’s Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP).
It aims to unlock the economic potential of Zambia’s Western Corridor through investments in agriculture, infrastructure, and value addition.
Western Corridor Limited (WCL) will upgrade 371 km of gravel road to bituminous standard, including the construction of two new bridges over the Lalafuta and Luena rivers and urban road works in Kasempa and Kaoma Districts. The project is expected to:
Reduce travel times and improve road safety
Create employment for local communities and youth
Support MSMEs with at least 20% of works reserved for Zambian contractors and suppliers
Boost agricultural production and mining connectivity
Provide the fastest trade route to the port of Walvis Bay, Namibia
Speaking at the event, President Hichilema highlighted the project’s alignment with government priorities in agriculture, mining, and regional trade. He said:
“This road means business – moving goods from Zambia to the world through Walvis Bay, and from the world back to Zambia. Infrastructure opens investment opportunities and improves livelihoods.”
He added that improved road infrastructure would create jobs, support MSMEs, and enhance connectivity across the Western Corridor.
WCL CEO Buks Jansen Van Rensburg emphasized the importance of local solutions, stating:
“Let’s build and protect our roads using Zambian solutions for Zambian challenges. This road is a reality through PPP collaboration.”
FQM Country Manager Dr. Godwin Beene noted that mining must act as a catalyst for sustainable development, adding that the project builds on FQM’s decade-long investment in road infrastructure in Solwezi and Kalumbila.
The Western Corridor Transformation Project marks the beginning of a new era of economic and social development, underscoring the government’s commitment to sustainable growth, job creation, and improved livelihoods in Zambia’s Western Province.
