Kazungula Moves with Purpose as PPP Knowledge Exchange Signals a New Era of Development
Kazungula Town Council has taken a decisive and forward-looking step towards accelerated development, following a high-level Public Private Partnership (PPP) engagement hosted this morning by the Council Secretary, Mr. John Machai. The meeting brought together a delegation from Choma Municipal Council, led by Town Clerk Mr. Davies Musenge, at the New Civic Centre Council Chamber.
The engagement was convened with a clear sense of urgency and intent: to enable Kazungula to draw practical lessons from Choma’s successful implementation of PPP projects, including a shopping mall and hotel development valued at over US$10 million. These projects stand as tangible evidence of how strategic partnerships with the private sector can rapidly transform local economies and strengthen municipal revenue bases.
As Kazungula charts its own development trajectory, the Council has identified PPPs as a critical vehicle for unlocking infrastructure development in the district. Chief among the priority projects is the planned development of a shopping mall in the Central Business District (CBD), a project expected to stimulate economic activity, create jobs, and reposition Kazungula as a competitive investment destination.
Speaking during the meeting, Mr. Machai expressed deep appreciation to Choma Municipal Council for honouring the invitation and openly sharing their experiences. He emphasized that Kazungula is at a defining moment in its growth journey and must move with speed and clarity to seize emerging opportunities.
“Kazungula is strategically positioned as a unique quadripoint, a gateway where three countries meet. This rare advantage gives us immense untapped potential,” Mr. Machai said. “Through PPPs, we can leverage this position to unlock investment, create jobs, and fully harness our economic strengths.”
He further underscored that all future PPP projects will be undertaken with full stakeholder involvement, anchored on continuous engagement to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and shared ownership of development outcomes.
In his remarks, Mr. Musenge encouraged Kazungula Town Council to move swiftly and decisively in embracing PPPs, noting that delays often translate into missed opportunities for growth. He highlighted that PPPs not only broaden a council’s revenue base but also significantly improve the quality, speed, and sustainability of infrastructure delivery, driven by private sector innovation, capital inflows, and operational efficiency.
“PPPs create predictable own-source revenue streams for councils while delivering infrastructure that communities need now, not later,” Mr. Musenge noted. “The time to act is now.”
To ground discussions in reality, the visiting delegation of both teams took time to physically visit the site earmarked for the proposed shopping mall in the CBD, allowing for firsthand appreciation of the project’s potential and strategic location. The site visit reinforced the shared conviction that Kazungula is ready to transition from planning to action.
The engagement marks more than just a learning visit, it signals Kazungula Town Council’s resolve to fast-track development, expand its revenue base, and deliver visible, impactful infrastructure through smart partnerships. With momentum building and lessons drawn from proven successes, Kazungula is positioning itself not just to grow, but to grow with speed, purpose, and confidence.