The Kanyemba floating bridge, or pontoon, to be commissioned during the second quarter of 2019, is set to expedite the clearance and movement of tourists between Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique through the Kanyemba border post.

The border post is located in Mashonaland Central province, 393km from Harare, and the scope of the multimillion-dollar project includes the construction of landing decks on both sides of the Zambezi River, and the setting up of a floating bridge on the river. The bridge will be used as a deck to transport vehicles and people across the river from Zimbabwe into Zambia and Mozambique, and vice versa.

The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Joel Biggie Matiza, says the project will enhance the movement of travellers and cargo between the three southern African countries and beyond.

The Kanyemba floating bridge will be the second to link three countries on the Zambezi River after the one at Kazungula border which links Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana. However, the floating bridge at Kazungula is set to be replaced by a fixed bridge in 2020. The fixed bridge is currently under construction.

The Kanyemba bridge provides an alternative to the North-South Corridor initiative within the Southern Africa Development Community region, and is part of a corridor-long infrastructure improvement programme to enhance regional trade and integration.

Zimbabwe and Zambia are also connected through other border posts at Victoria Falls, Kariba, Chirundu and Kazungula.