Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway to Assess Long-Term Concession Viability in Developing Economies
The Lusaka-Ndola dual carriageway project, a 327-kilometre road linking Lusaka with Ndola, will serve as a key test for the viability of long-term concessions in developing economies, according to Vicente Valencia, a Public-Private Development (PPD) specialist.
With a total cost of US$650 million, the project has a 25-year concession period, consisting of three years for construction and 22 years for operation.
Valencia emphasized that the success of this ambitious project hinges on factors such as toll affordability and traffic volume, which are critical to its long-term sustainability.
Valencia highlighted the Lusaka-Ndola dual carriageway as one of the top 10 Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects to watch in 2025.
In his write-up on “10 PPP Projects You Should Monitor in 2025,” he called it a flagship project for Zambia and a significant indicator of the potential of long-term concessions in developing economies.
Another noteworthy project discussed by Valencia was Kenya’s Nairobi Expressway, a 27-kilometre toll road connecting Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to the city centre.
With a total cost of US$600 million and a 27-year concession period, the Nairobi Expressway is another key example of a toll-based PPP, which will set a benchmark for private sector participation in Africa’s road infrastructure.
“These projects, including the Lusaka-Ndola and Nairobi Expressway, demonstrate the power of Public-Private Partnerships to drive innovation, boost economic growth, and transform infrastructure on a global scale,” Valencia stated. “They are not only significant in size and complexity but also in their potential to set benchmarks for future PPPs worldwide.”
SOURCE:zambiamonitor.com
