On May 9, the Kafulafuta Water Supply Project in Zambia's Copperbelt Province — engineered and constructed by China National Complete Engineering Corporation (CNCEC), a subsidiary of Sinomach Group — was officially completed. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema personally turned on the main valve to release a stream of clean water, arousing laud cheers from the onlookers.

As the largest integrated water conservancy project in Zambia, the Kafulafuta Project combines a dam, water pipelines, pumping stations and urban water network upgrades. With a total reservoir capacity of 125 million cubic meters and an annual water supply exceeding 100 million cubic meters, the project includes a 132-kV substation and a modern distribution system that delivers clean water to surrounding cities — resolving long-standing drinking water shortages for approximately one million people.

Kafulafuta Water Supply Project [Photo/CNCEC]

Construction began in 2021 when Chinese teams arrived in Zambia. A project manager from the Chinese side recalled the early challenges: "The geological conditions in Copperbelt Province were far more complicated than expected. During the rainy season, access roads were washed out and trucks carrying building materials would sink into mud half a meter deep." Zambian workers echoed this memory: "We remember those tough early days. Facing a tight schedule and harsh terrain, our Chinese colleagues worked tirelessly with a spirit of 'seizing the day'. Their determination inspired us all."

Kafulafuta Water Supply Project [Photo/CNCEC]

Throughout the construction process, the team embraced a localized approach — training Zambian workers in equipment operation and blueprint interpretation, and conducting technical exchanges with local engineers. This spirit of cooperation and mutual learning played a vital role in advancing the project to completion.

Local workers are discussing the matters related to the project construction. [Photo/CNCEC]

At the ceremony, President Hichilema expressed his heartfelt gratitude, stating, "This is more than a water project — it is a monument to the enduring friendship between China and Zambia."

Today, water from the Kafulafuta flows into thousands of Zambian households, not only bringing clean water to meet the needs of daily life of the local people, but also forging a lasting symbol of solidarity and shared progress between the two nations.