BBC World Service Online

Global Business

Factual: Money

Insights into the business world from the BBC.

Global Business: The Road to Zambezi Street - Part Two

Defunct steam train outside of Lusaka Central Station

07/09/2013

The Road to Zambezi Street - Part Two

BBC World Service - Global Business, The Road to Zambezi Street - Part Two

Zambia has the potential to be a trade hub, if it can improve its roads and railways.

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

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Global Business

The Road to Zambezi Street - Part Two

Genres

Brand

BBC World Service Online

About BBC World Service