Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Minister Charles Milupi says Africa should prioritize stakeholder engagement aimed at leveraging infrastructure development as this is key to the development of the continent.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the on-going Infrastructure Africa Conference in Cape Town, South Africa yesterday, Mr. Milupi said Africa’s intention is to better the lives of the people across the continent and that infrastructure development is key towards achieving this.
He said Africa now has an opportunity to define its future by taking advantage of the abundant natural resources at its disposal, which he said must be translated into the desired development outcomes through prudent management.
Mr. Milupi said in Zambia, the Government is working hard to actualise economic growth that will trickle down to the citizens and that if this can be done sustainably over a period of time, it will help to alleviate poverty among the people.
He said Zambia has identified economic sectors such as mining, agriculture, tourism and manufacturing to spur economic growth.
“To get these functioning, we have to get to the market and that is where infrastructure comes in. In Zambia, we are surrounded by eight neighbours and we are a land-linked country. This is why we look at our neighbours and those beyond as our potential markets but to actualise this, we need infrastructure that not only links us within our country, but also connects us to our neighbours and beyond,” said Mr. Milupi.
He said Zambia has decided to leverage the private sector through Public- Private Partnerships (PPPs) and that so far, many projects have been done through this model and that this is opening up corridors that connect to other countries.
This is contained in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today by First Secretary Press and Public Relations at Zambia’s High Commission in South Africa, Tamara Nyirenda.
By Eva Hatontola
