The governments of Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the detailed study of building a bridge, which will link the three countries upon completion, over the Zambezi river, local media reported on Saturday.

The study of the Kazungula bridge will cost 2.9 million U.S. dollars, most of which will be funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) cited a joint communique released by representatives from the three countries in Livingstone, 500 km south of Lusaka.

According to Zambia's Works and Supply Permanent Secretary Bizwayo Nkunika, who signed the MoU on behalf the Zambian government, the AfDB will finance 94 percent of the total cost while the three governments will finance the remaining six percent equally.

Col. Nkunika representing the Zimbabwean side also confirmed that Zimbabwe which was initially opposed to the idea of the construction of the bridge has finally come on board.

The three countries have also agreed to proceed with the tendering process for the study, the ZANIS said.

Source: Xinhua