Can you be in four countries at the same time? The answer, though it may seem unlikely, is yes.
Kazungula, Africa — Tucked away at the confluence of four nations, the Kazungula Quadripoint stands as a symbol of Africa’s interconnected nature.
This unique geographical junction brings together Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe in a delicate dance of borders, trade, and regional cooperation.
For decades, the exact meeting point of these four nations has been a topic of debate among geographers and politicians and has at times been politicised by the more radical of thinkers.
While some argue it is a true quadripoint, others suggest that the borders of Botswana and Namibia are separated by a narrow stretch of the Zambezi River, creating two separate tripoints.
Regardless of the technicalities, Kazungula has evolved into a hub of continental significance.
At the heart of this transformation is the Kazungula Bridge, inaugurated in May 2021.
A 923-meter marvel of engineering, it connects Botswana and Zambia, replacing the cumbersome and wildly unpredictable ferry crossing that previously hampered trade and movement.
The bridge is more than just steel and concrete. It represents a strategic artery in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), streamlining the flow of goods across Southern Africa and reducing transport costs. For this reason, many look to it as a beacon for unlocking economic potential and social progress in the continent’s south.
Local economies have already begun to feel the ripple effects of this infrastructural leap.
Markets in Kasane (Botswana) and Livingstone (Zambia) buzz with cross-border traders, tourists, and transporters, and logistics firms now see Kazungula as a key corridor linking the mineral-rich Democratic Republic of Congo to South African ports.
The quadripoint’s potential, however, is not without its challenges.
Border security and customs cooperation among the four nations continue to pose a complex barrier to harmonising immigration procedures and fighting smuggling.
Environmentalists have also cautioned against unchecked development, emphasising the need to protect the fragile ecosystems of the Zambezi River and the nearby Chobe National Park.
Despite this, Kazungula embodies the promise of regional integration.
It is a place where national interests intersect and where infrastructure, diplomacy, and commerce converge. As Africa continues to push towards greater economic unity, Kazungula’s crossroads may well become a beacon for cross-border collaboration and shared prosperity.