President Hichilema Urges Africa to Take Ownership of Economic Growth at Kazungula Bridge Launch

President Hakainde Hichilema has called on African nations to seize control of the continent's economic destiny, saying Africa possesses all the resources needed for growth but must lead its own development agenda.

Speaking at the launch of the Kazungula Bridge Authority in Kasane, Botswana, President Hichilema described the bridge as far more than a piece of infrastructure, calling it a shared asset belonging to the entire region and beyond. He paid tribute to the governments and communities of both nations for their role in safeguarding the crossing over the years.

The President noted that while colonial borders historically divided African communities, initiatives like the Kazungula Bridge are helping to restore economic unity and strengthen regional cooperation. He revealed that the bridge has become the preferred route for countries further north, with truck traffic expected to increase from 400 to 1,000 vehicles per day.

However, President Hichilema stressed that rising traffic volumes must deliver real economic benefits, including greater trade efficiency, lower transport costs and tangible business growth for border communities. He challenged the private sector to maximise opportunities by ensuring trucks carry return loads in both directions to boost trade volumes and strengthen regional supply chains, adding that both governments stand ready to remove any barriers hindering commerce.

Botswana's President Duma Boko echoed the call for transformation, urging Africa to abandon an outdated economic model based on exporting raw minerals and importing finished goods, insisting the continent can no longer afford to ship out its wealth while jobs and industries are created elsewhere.