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A road built by China in Zambia has made for an extraordinary journey. Not only is it known as the most beautiful water passage in Africa for its exceptional quality, but it is also rewriting the future of a country. This masterpiece is the famous Mangu Karabo Highway. Its flawless construction exceeded all expectations, connecting not only the two places, but also hope and prosperity, opening the door to new development for Zambia.
What kind of country is Zambia?
In the heart of Africa, there is a mysterious and fascinating country – Zambia. It doesn't appear on the world stage as often as other African countries, but it attracts travelers from all over the world with its unique natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage and friendly people. Zambia's natural beauty is among the best in the world. The country's calling card is the spectacular Victoria Falls. The 1.7-kilometre-wide, 108-metre-high waterfall is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and is known locally as "Mosi-oa-Tunya", which means "water of thunder". The mist from the rushing water of the waterfall perennially envelops the surrounding area for several kilometers, resulting in a surprisingly dense vegetation that forms a unique ecosystem. Travelers who haven't seen its majesty in person can hardly comprehend the shock of Victoria Falls.
In addition to Victoria Falls, Zambia is home to numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, making it a haven for wildlife. Zambia's national parks are not as crowded as those in neighboring Tanzania and Kenya, and visitors can observe lions, elephants, buffalo, and other wildlife in their natural state in a relatively tranquil environment. The ethnic diversity here is also a major feature. Zambia is home to over 70 different ethnic groups, each with its own unique language and culture. Just like its natural beauty, the culture here is also colorful. The traditional ceremonies held every year, such as the Kuambala Festival, the Nichomba Festival, attract a large number of participants and spectators. During the festival, people dress in traditional costumes, sing and dance, making people feel as if they have traveled back in time.
Its economy is dominated by agriculture and mining, but the country's development is very uneven, most of the wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few, and poverty and unemployment are still serious. Education and health resources are strained, and people in poor areas have little access to basic services. The Government and the international community have been working to improve these conditions. Since its independence in 1964, it has been one of the most peaceful and stable countries in Africa. This is also due to the tolerance of the people and the wise governance of the government.
Zambia's road construction difficulties
The Mangu Karabo Highway used to be a rugged and difficult road covered with sand and gravel, and even more muddy during the rainy season, and transport vehicles often got stuck in the mud and could not drive. For a long time, the villagers on both sides of the highway could only rely on walking or small means of transportation for daily communication, which undoubtedly limited the connection between the northern part of Zambia and the outside world, and restricted the local economic and social development.
Since 2002, Zambia has been moving forward with the Mangu to Tabo road construction project. Just two years later, the 35-kilometre section from Tabo to Carabo was completed and put into operation. However, the section from Tabo to Mangu has always been a difficult problem. The reason for this is that this section of the road has to cross a varied flood plain.
Although the Zambian government did not give up and even commissioned an international company to design and construct the section, the good times were short-lived. The road that was built with great hope collapsed in the first rainy season, despite the onslaught of torrential rains. Since then, the project has been at an impasse, and no one dares to take on this seemingly unsolvable problem easily.
At the time, the lines of traffic carved a difficult picture on the floodplain, with vehicles staggering slowly through the soft wet mud, while the well-veined Zambezi main channel relied on ferries to connect the two sides. The arrival of the rainy season brings flooding, treating roads and bridges as child's play, and paralyzing land transportation. At this time, the local residents can only trust their lives to the rickety cano, bravely sailing on the rapids of the river. This is not only a test of their courage, but also exposes the enormous risks to their lives and property. The primitive and backward nature of transportation has become an invisible wall that prevents people from traveling freely, communicating and interacting, and even affecting economic progress and development.
In 2009, China generously provided Zambia with a low-interest loan of US$287 million to expand its territory. Subsequently, Chinese companies and the Zambian government agreed to sign a letter of commitment that would give the Chinese company full responsibility for the implementation of one of the country's key road reconstruction projects. Soon after, in July, China Railway Bridge Survey and Design Institute Group sent its elite team to start a comprehensive survey and design of the project to ensure that this important project can be started and advanced smoothly and efficiently.
Under the framework of cooperation between China and Zambia, the Chinese construction team stepped into this land, and the change of the Mangu Karabo Highway officially began. Chinese engineers and workers far from their hometowns, armed with advanced technology and extensive experience in infrastructure, embarked on this daunting and meaningful task.
At the beginning of the project, they faced difficulties – language barriers, harsh natural environmental challenges, and problems transporting construction materials. However, the Chinese engineering team did not flinch, and they raced against time to overcome many difficulties. The engineers carefully developed the construction plan, and the engineering team worked closely with the local workers, not only providing them with a large number of job opportunities, but also imparting many valuable construction skills. This cultural and technological exchange has promoted mutual understanding and trust between the Chinese and Zambian peoples.
To meet the challenges of the rainy season, the highway has been cleverly incorporated into the design of 26 bridges to retain the promise of unobstructed accessibility. In the process of road construction, flood-resistant cohesive granular sand is used as filler, and the roadbed slope is covered with a layer of fertile black humus, on which the green grass is like grass, forming a natural protective barrier, sticking to the first line of soil erosion.
This highlight project started in 2009 and turned around in only 7 years, becoming the road to smooth motor operation in Africa in 2016. It is not only a link of transportation, but also known as "the most beautiful water corridor in Africa" because of its picturesque water scenery along the way. The construction of the Mangu Karabo Highway has changed the face of northern Zambia. Roads that were once difficult to pass have now been transformed into wide and flat asphalt roads, which greatly reduce the cost of transporting goods and people, and improve the efficiency of transportation. Roadside markets and shops are a testament to the economic vibrancy of the area. The smiles on the faces of fruit growers and small traders are the sincere feedback brought by this road.
This is not only a hardware upgrade, but also a profound social change. The Mangu Carabo Highway facilitates social facilitation, allowing cultural exchange and knowledge to flow like a river into isolated villages. Children are able to reach schools and receive education more quickly, and sick villagers are able to receive medical assistance in a more timely manner.
epilogue
The construction of the Mangu Karabo Highway is not only an infrastructure project, but also carries the common vision of China and Zambia, and embodies the friendship and cooperation of the Belt and Road Initiative. Through such practical actions, Chinese enterprises have not only left a deep imprint on the recipient countries, but also demonstrated the strength and responsibility of China's infrastructure on the global stage. The lives of the Zambian people have been improved by the opening of this highway, and the road of friendship between China and Zambia will continue to lead to a broader future.