Japanese loan for Botswana to Zambia bridge

A new bridge link will be constructed between Botswana and Zambia in Southern Africa. Some of the funding for the bridge is being provided in the form of a US$113 million loan from the Japanese Government. The Kazungula bridge project is expected to cost $260 million in all. Close to $78.5 million is coming from the 1586 African Development Bank and Zambia is providing $1.6 million while the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (6706 JICA) will offer $42 millionn. The work will commence in 2014 and the bridge should be open to traffic in 2018. Once complete, the bridge will improve connectivity and help boost trade. The project includes a railway link as well as the road, plus access roads and a border post.