Livingstone Mayor welcomes tourism development partnership

Livingstone Mayor Bright Hanakamba has formally welcomed the ongoing collaborative commitment between the central government and the World Bank aimed at transforming Zambia’s premier tourist capital. Speaking on municipal development priorities, the Mayor emphasized that strategic partnerships are vital for upgrading urban infrastructure and improving the overall visitor experience in a city whose economy depends heavily on global tourism arrivals. The initiative, championed under the auspices of the Green, Resilient and Transformational Tourism Development Project (GREAT-TDP), targets critical urban bottlenecks that have historically challenged local commerce and transit. Among the core components of the developmental package are the rehabilitation of key inner-city roadways, the rollout of extensive modern street lighting, and enhancements to public spaces designed to foster a secure and dynamic 24-hour urban economy. Municipal authorities believe these measures will stretch visitor stays beyond brief stopovers, converting the tourist capital into a vibrant, self-sustaining commercial hub. Mayor Hanakamba noted that the Livingstone City Council stands ready to facilitate seamless execution alongside central government ministries and international development partners. By modernizing municipal infrastructure, the city aims to boost investor confidence, encourage private sector engagement in hospitality and retail, and ensure that local communities directly reap the economic dividends of high tourism volumes. The local authority views the project as a critical stepping stone toward sustainable, inclusive urban growth. Local economic stakeholders have similarly voiced optimism, pointing out that robust infrastructure is essential to future-proofing Livingstone against regional competition. As implementation ramps up, municipal planners are tasked with ensuring transparency, efficiency, and minimal disruption to ongoing business operations. The partnership undersco