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The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors yesterday approved a $200 million International Development Association (IDA) credit under the IDA17 Scale-up Facility for Zambia to improve selected rural roads in six of Zambia’s ten provinces. Government will finance the remaining four provinces. According to the Rural Access Index, only 17 percent of rural population live within 2 km of a good road in Zambia, leaving about 7.5 million rural residents unconnected to the road network in the country. The Improved Rural Connectivity Project will benefit 460,000 people in the targeted rural areas. World Bank Country Manager for Zambia Ina Ruthenberg notes in a statement that the Improved Rural Connectivity Project is significant for Zambia, because it will improve connectivity in rural areas where poverty levels are particularly high. Ruthenberg says besides the project providing improved connectivity to schools, markets, health facilities, and jobs for the rural communities, it has the transformational potential of positioning Zambia as the regional food basket, contributing towards economic diversification. And World Bank Senior Transport Specialist Justin Runji says the project will also contribute towards addressing institutional capacity challenges, particularly in the area of road maintenance and road safety in Zambia, where feeder roads are largely in poor condition. The project supports the Government’s development priorities as reflected in the National Development Plan and Vision 2030. The post World Bank Gives Zambia $200 For Rural Roads appeared first on Zambia Reports.

source: Zambia Reports

Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé has arrived in the country for a two day state visit. President Gnassingbé was received by President Edgar Lungu, at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. President Lungu and his Togolese counterpart are later this afternoon expected to hold bilateral talks at State House. President Gnassingbé was accorded a twenty one gun salute by the Zambia Army infantry and late inspected a guard of honour. And State House says the Togolese President’s visit to Zambia will further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda says the two heads of state will discuss key areas of cooperation in various sectors, including mining. Chanda said Togo is keen to learn from Zambia on how it has managed its mining sector as the West African country is a major iron ore producer. He said the two heads of state are interested in improving bilateral relations in the economic sector for the mutual benefit of the Zambian and Togolese peoples. Chanda said peace and security issues on the African continent will also be high on the agenda. He further disclosed that President Lungu is likely to undertake a reciprocal state visit to Togo in the second half of the year. President Gnassingbé is expected to return to Togo on Tuesday after concluding his engagements. And President Gnassingbé has paid his respects to the late Presidents of Zambia buried at Embassy Park. SOURCE: PF MEDIA The post Togolese President Gnassingbé Makes Zambia Trip appeared first on Zambia Reports.

source: Zambia Reports