Zambia’s rural road programme receives funding

The 2332 World Bank is providing US$200 million to Zambia for the country’s rural road development programme. The funding is being provided through the International Development Association (IDA) and will help pay for improvements to rural roads in six of 10 provinces in Zambia. Meanwhile the country itself will pay for rural road upgrades in the remaining four provinces. These road upgrades are required as they will help boost economic development in Zambia’s poorest outlying areas. At present just 17% of those living in Zambia’s rural districts are within 2km of a good quality road connection. The Rural Access Index has revealed that some 7.5 million of Zambia’s inhabitants do not have proper access to the road network. The Improved Rural Connectivity Project will also help boost road maintenance and safety in areas where most existing links are at present sub-standard. The project forms part of the Zambian Government’s National Development Plan and Vision 2030.