A ZMK706bn ($142.61m) set of contracts has been awarded by Zambia’s Road Development Agency (RDA) with the intention of improving the country’s ailing roads, according to the Times of Zambia.

RDA has awarded China New Era International Engineering the first contract to upgrade 85km from Senanga to Maziba on the Sesheke-Senanga Road at $55m.

The $45m second contract to upgrade a 70km stretch from Sesheke at Katimamulilo to Senanga, has been awarded to China Jangxi Cooperation for International Economic and Technical Cooperation.

The remaining stretch of 66km has been awarded to China Geo Engineering Co-operation for $42m.

The total contract is part of a $300m road project to open up the Western corridor and link Zambia to neighbouring countries in the Southern African region.