CHAMWE KAIRA
Botswana and Namibia have completed the feasibility study for the multi-billion-dollar Trans Kalahari Railway (TKR) project, paving the way for the next phase of implementation of the planned regional rail corridor.
The milestone was announced during the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) meeting of the TKR Project held last week in Kasane, Botswana.
The meeting was co-chaired by Botswana’s minister of transport and infrastructure, Noah Salakae, and Namibia’s minister of works and transport, Veikko Nekundi, who reaffirmed the commitment of both governments to accelerate the delivery of the project.
The feasibility report was formally received from consultants, marking the completion of Phase 1 of the project assessment.
Nekundi said the completion of the study reflected the commitment and persistence of the Joint Technical Committee, Joint Steering Committee and project consultants.
“With the completion of the feasibility study, our task now is to interrogate the recommendations with discipline, address financing mechanisms and agree on transparent procurement strategies,” Nekundi said.
He stressed that community engagement must remain an ongoing component of the project and not be treated as an afterthought.
Salakae commended the consultants for completing the feasibility study and said he expected timelines for the commencement of construction to be announced soon.
“The project is more than just steel tracks; it is about enhancing the logistics ecosystem, strengthening friendship and unlocking the numerous possibilities that exist for the people of the two nations,” he said.
The ministers noted that the project aligns with the directives of the two countries’ Heads of State to fast-track implementation and urged all stakeholders to shorten the procurement process timeline.
The Trans Kalahari Railway is planned as a multi-commodity regional corridor linking Botswana and Namibia, with the potential to improve trade flows, reduce transport costs and strengthen economic integration within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The project is also expected to complement existing trade routes managed by the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, which facilitates regional connectivity through Namibia’s ports.
During the governance meetings, Salakae met with representatives of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, which highlighted its role in promoting trade between Namibia, Botswana and the wider region.
The group said it has developed one of Africa’s effective corridor management models and works closely with Sea Rail Botswana Pty Ltd to support Botswana’s logistics needs.
Anchored by the Port of Walvis Bay, including the Botswana Container Terminal operated under the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport), the corridor provides Botswana with access to international markets through the Atlantic Ocean.
The Walvis Bay Corridor Group manages four main trade routes: the Trans Kalahari Corridor linking Walvis Bay with Botswana, the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Corridor connecting Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Trans-Kunene Corridor linking Namibia and southern Angola, and the Trans-Oranje Corridor connecting the Port of Lüderitz with South Africa’s Northern Cape.
Salakae said corridor partnerships would become increasingly important as the railway project progresses, helping to lower logistics costs, improve transit times and create new opportunities for businesses.
The next phase of the TKR project will focus on financing arrangements, procurement strategies and preparations for construction, which is expected to begin around December 2026, according to project officials.
