The acting chief executive officer of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG), Edward Shivute, talks to Observer Money about the operations of the WBCG and future prospects.
Observer Money (OM): May you kindly give us an update on the Trans-Cunene Corridor? What new developments are happening, and what are the volumes on the corridor compared to the Trans-Zambezi and Trans-Kalahari Corridors?
Edward Shivute (ES): The Trans-Cunene Corridor (TCC) continues to play an increasingly important role in facilitating trade between Namibia and Southern Angola and remains a key component of the broader regional trade and transport network within the SADC region. As the corridor management institution for the TCC, the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) continues to work closely with public and private sector stakeholders to strengthen corridor competitiveness, improve operational efficiencies and increase cargo volumes on this strategic trade route in support of regional trade integration and sustainable economic growth.
Collectively, cargo movement across the Walvis Bay Corridors exceeded 2.4 million tonnes during the 2024/25 financial year. For the same reporting period, ending March 2025, Namport recorded a container throughput of 253 996 TEUs across Namibia’s ports, representing a 33% year-on-year increase and the highest container volumes achieved in over a decade. Total cargo throughput via the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz reached 8.42 million tonnes, compared to 8.03 million tonnes during the previous reporting period.
OM: What kind of goods are transported on the Trans-Cunene Corridor that links the Port of Walvis Bay to Lubango, Angola, via Tsumeb, Ondangwa, Oshikango, and the Santa Clara border post?
ES: The TCC facilitates the transportation of a diverse range of commodities between Namibia and Angola, including petroleum and fuel products, vehicles, mining-related cargo,
construction materials, consumer goods, food products and general retail consumables.
The corridor holds particular strategic value for the supply of goods into Southern Angola, owing to its considerably shorter transit distance from the Port of Walvis Bay compared to alternative Angolan ports such as Luanda, Lobito, or Namibe. This geographic advantage, combined with Walvis Bay’s world-class port infrastructure and established logistics ecosystem, translates into reduced transit times and competitive transport costs for importers and exporters operating along the corridor.
The WBCG continues to actively promote the corridor and engage industry stakeholders, logistics operators, and investors to unlock additional cargo opportunities and expand trade flows across the region.
OM: What are some of the new developments on the Trans-Cunene Corridor and in Southern Angola that may attract additional cargo volumes?
ES: Several developments are positioning the Trans-Cunene Corridor for increased cargo movement and improved competitiveness. A major milestone was the implementation of 24-hour operations at the Oshikango/Santa Clara Border Post, officially launched by the governments of Namibia and Angola in June 2024. The round-the-clock border operations continue to enhance cargo movement efficiencies, reduce border-related delays, enhance trade facilitation, and support increased commercial activity between the two countries.
The corridor has also continued to experience growth in both trade and passenger movement, supported by relatively well-developed road infrastructure on the Namibian side and ongoing road improvement programmes within Angola. The corridor benefits from a well-maintained and high-quality road network linking the Port of Walvis Bay to the north.
Namibia and the Oshikango Border Post, providing reliable transit conditions and efficient cargo movement. These developments contribute to strengthening the corridor’s position as a reliable and efficient route into Southern Angola.
In addition, ongoing discussions regarding the establishment of a one-stop border post between Namibia and Angola are expected to further streamline border processes, strengthen customs cooperation, and improve regional connectivity.
The WBCG continues to play a strategic coordinating role by facilitating stakeholder engagement and supporting initiatives aimed at enhancing the seamless movement of cargo along the corridor. Key focus areas remain border modernisation, improved customs coordination, logistics infrastructure development, and the advancement of digital trade facilitation systems to ensure that the corridor remains competitive and responsive to evolving regional trade requirements.
OM: May you comment on developments taking place on the Angolan side of the Trans-Cunene Corridor?
ES: On the Angolan side, there is growing momentum around infrastructure development and trade facilitation in southern Angola. Improvements in road infrastructure and border efficiencies are expected to support increased bilateral trade and cargo movement, further strengthening the Trans-Cunene Corridor’s position as a competitive trade route.
Through strategic partnerships, business development initiatives and continuous corridor promotion activities, the WBCG, in collaboration with industry stakeholders, remains committed to creating an enabling environment that supports sustainable trade growth, improved connectivity between Namibia and Angola and efficient cargo movement, while strengthening regional trade integration and consolidating Namibia’s position as the preferred trade route to and from southern Africa.
