Chinese Government grants RMB 139.5 million for 920 Boreholes Drilling Project (Linked to ETCA #40890)

In 2014, Chinese and Zambian government officials signed an agreement in which China granted RMB 139.5 million for the 920 Boreholes Drilling Project. This project involved the drilling and installation of 920 boreholes in 23 districts across Central and Luapula provinces. Additionally, on June 15, 2014, Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao and Zambian Vice President Guy Scott witnessed the signing of an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreements (ETCA) granting $32 million USD (equal to over 200 million RMB) to the Government of Zambia. At least some of these funds helped finance this borehole project. The ultimate objective of the project was to provide 230,000 people with access to clean drinking water. China Jiangxi International Cooperation was contractor responsible for project implementation. Construction began in 2016 and was scheduled to close by the end of 2017. At the time of a partial handover ceremony on May 28, 2017, 680 boreholes were already drilled and 420 were handed over and already in use. According to a 2017 Annual Progress Report published by Zambia’s Ministry of National Development Planning, project works are now 100 percent complete. The project reached final completion acceptance stage on January 30, 2018.

Additional details

The Chinese project title is 赞比亚920口井项目 Some sources indicate that China Eximbank may have expressed a willing to support this project with a concessional loan in 2014. However, there is no evidence that a loan commitment ever materialized. Also, through a separate project taking place in 2013 in which China helped Zambia sink 201 boreholes in 8 separate districts.

Number of official sources

7

Number of total sources

9