The University of Zambia (UNZA) has officially inaugurated the Bridge Maintenance and Management Centre (BMMC), a state-of-the-art facility designed to improve the safety and longevity of the nation’s infrastructure through advanced technology and specialized training.
The centre was officially handed over on Thursday, January 8, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the partnership between the Government of Zambia and the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Officiating the ceremony, Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Permanent Secretary, Prof. Albert Malama, stated that the centre serves as a response to the national priority of preventive maintenance.
"Poor maintenance practices often lead to premature deterioration, increased rehabilitation costs, and safety risks," Prof. Malama said. "This Centre stands as a clear demonstration of JICA’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure management, institutional strengthening, and human capital development".
Housed within the School of Engineering, the BMMC has been equipped with modern facilities designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and industry reality.
UNZA Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mundia Muya, revealed that the facility includes 26 iPads installed with specialized Artificial Intelligence (AI) software for bridge inspection, as well as accelerometers for structural monitoring.
"I am particularly pleased to highlight the installation of the wheel running fatigue machine, a highly specialised piece of equipment that will be used to conduct fatigue tests on critical bridge decking elements," Prof. Muya said. He noted that a Ph.D. student is already utilising the machine for research, demonstrating the centre's immediate impact on academic excellence.
The centre aims to serve as a national hub for training engineers from government institutions, local authorities, and the private sector. Prof. Muya announced that two training sessions have already been conducted, with the next session scheduled for February 2026.
JICA Chief Representative, Dr. Tomoko Ono, emphasized that as traffic volumes and axle loads increase in Zambia, the demands on bridge structures rise, making skilled engineers essential.
"Without proper inspection and maintenance, small defects can escalate into costly failures," Dr. Ono warned. She added that the centre draws inspiration from Japan’s own maintenance journey, specifically the programs at Gifu University, to foster collaboration between academia and government agencies.
The establishment of the BMMC is the outcome of the "Improvement of Bridge Maintenance Capability Building in Zambia – Phase 2 Project," which concluded at the end of 2025.