Zambia, Angola agree to fast-track infrastructure projects, oil procurement deal

By James Kunda

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - Zambia and Angola agreed Wednesday to fast-track the development of key infrastructure linking the two countries.

Cited were a natural oil and gas pipeline, a rail and road corridor and an electricity transmission line to be implemented in the medium- to long-term.

The two countries have also been pursuing a historical oil procurement deal that would see Zambia import the commodity at a cheaper cost from Angola.

"I am aware that a number of agreements have been signed by the two countries in this regard and despite some of these being signed under the previous government, ours is to pick up where they left off and ensure that these projects are implemented," Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said at a joint news conference with his Angolan counterpart, Joao Lourenco, in Luanda, that country's capital.

Hichilema is in Luanda for two days at Lourenco's invitation and has described his interactions as fruitful.

"We are actually ready to sign that contract," he said about the prospects of an oil deal. "I still do not understand why we must import oil, at a huge cost from Saudi (Saudi Arabia), Europe yet Angola just next door here has oil."

Separately, Lourenco said his interaction with Hichilema was aimed at strengthening trade and cooperation in areas of mutual benefit and interest of the two countries.

He said Zambia, being land-linked, was a strategic gateway for Angolan goods to the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa, hence the need for the two countries to leverage opportunities for further cooperation.