| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | , Zimbabwe |
| Subsidiaries | NLPI |
New Limpopo Bridge (Pvt) Ltd., is a private company, incorporated and registered in Zimbabwe, and is a subsidiary of NLPI Ltd, an investment holding company, whose main investment focus is infrastructure-related projects on the continent of Africa.
In 1993, the need for private sector participation in infrastructure projects in southern Africa was identified by Mr. Mordechai Tager and Mr. Zion Elani. Hence, the Governments of Zimbabwe and South Africa were approached with a proposal to finance and build a toll bridge over the Limpopo River, on a B.O.T. (Build-Operate-Transfer) basis.
The construction of the bridge was completed in a record time of thirteen months and was officially commissioned by the Presidents of Zimbabwe and South Africa, on 24 November 1995.
The company has been operating successfully, providing an efficient land link between South Africa and Zimbabwe and has become the major border interface between the two countries. It has computerized its systems to ease procedures for crossing the international border and this is complemented by the efficiency of the related government authorities. Another positive impact of modern infrastructure provided by the private sector, and more specifically the New Limpopo Bridge, has been the promotion of trade and development.
The adoption of the B.O.T. concept has proven to be a success story. In terms of this concept, the private sector assumes the responsibility of financing, designing, constructing and operating an infrastructure project for a set period, after which the asset is handed over to government in working condition free of charge. Such projects provide governments with the opportunity to redirect the funds otherwise earmarked for such projects, to other more demanding sectors such as education, health, housing etc.