The Zambezi Region is accelerating infrastructure development, with more than 500 houses under construction, expanded rural electrification and renewed calls for urgent road upgrades as the region seeks to improve connectivity and stimulate economic growth.
Delivering the State of the Region Address (SORA), Governor Dorothy Kabula said 542 houses are currently under construction in Katima Mulilo through a partnership with the National Housing Enterprise (NHE).
The housing programme is being complemented by sewer and stormwater infrastructure projects valued at more than N$1.7 million.
“Katima Mulilo Town Council has made progress in ensuring that our town provides an environment conducive to its residents through the delivery of housing and other urban services. These projects, including housing and sewer reticulation, are critical to sustaining growth and attracting investment into the town,” Kabula said.
The Governor said the region is also expanding access to electricity, with 546 households and seven schools connected to the grid during the 2025/26 financial year under the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s rural electrification programme.
“Electrification of these facilities aims to enhance the quality of education, improve the working and living conditions of government personnel and support socio-economic development. This programme is not only about lighting homes and schools but about enabling communities to participate fully in the economy,” she said.
Kabula said a further three schools are scheduled to be electrified during the 2026/27 financial year.
She also called for urgent rehabilitation of sections of the B8 highway, particularly between Mulanga and Kongola checkpoint and between Chetto and Omega 1, warning that deteriorating road conditions are undermining trade and public safety.
“I therefore call upon the Roads Authority to strengthen its supervision of these roads. The delays and poor conditions are not just inconveniences, they pose risks to lives and undermine trade efficiency in our region,” she said.
Construction of feeder roads linking Nakabolelwa, Bukalo-Muyako-Ngoma, Makanga and Masida has been delayed by flooding, although the projects remain a priority to improve regional connectivity.
Kabula also highlighted gaps in telecommunications infrastructure, saying that although network coverage in the region has reached 90%, communities such as Ngonga, Kandunda, Kaseta and Muzii continue to experience poor voice and data services.
She urged telecommunications operators to expand network coverage, saying digital connectivity is essential for economic participation and service delivery.
At local authority level, Bukalo Village Council is advancing sewer and water infrastructure servicing more than 382 plots, while road construction has reached 57% completion alongside ongoing housing developments.
“I commend the previous and current political leadership of our two local authorities for driving the development we see in these towns today. Their efforts in housing, roads and market infrastructure are laying the foundation for stronger local economies,” Kabula said.
The Governor also appealed to the National Planning Commission and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to provide additional funding for stalled development projects in Kongola and Ngoma, warning that delays in financing could slow the region’s long-term development.
“Without timely investment, these growth points cannot evolve into viable councils, and we risk slowing the momentum of regional development,” she said.
