[1][2][3] It connects Mutanda (south-west of Solwezi) with Zambezi Town via Mufumbwe, Manyinga & Kabompo.

The route begins by going southwards for 85 kilometres up to the settlement named Kawana in Kasempa District, where it meets the western terminus of the M18 road from Lufwanyama and Kitwe in the Copperbelt Province.

After the Kasempa turn-off, the road continues westwards for 100 kilometres to the town of Mufumbwe in the district of the same name.

[1] On 1 December 2024, the Government of Zambia (represented by the Minister of Finance, Situmbeko Musokotwane) signed a Public–private partnership (concession) agreement with Barotse Highway Limited (in partnership with First Quantum Minerals[4]) for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the road from Mutanda to Kasempa and the road from Kasempa to Kaoma (amounting to 371 kilometres).

[5][6][7] Once complete, the road will form part of a shortcut between the Copperbelt region of DR Congo (and Zambia) and the port of Walvis Bay in Namibia, boosting international trade.