Africa-Press – Botswana. Namibia and Botswana have extended the completion timeline for the Trans-Kalahari Railway feasibility study by two months, but insist the flagship infrastructure project remains firmly on track and central to regional trade and logistics ambitions.
The feasibility study, initially scheduled for completion in April 2026, is now expected to be finalised in June 2026 to allow for the completion of essential technical assessments.
Minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi said this during the joint ministerial committee meeting held at Okahandja on Friday.
“We noted positive progress, but a lot remains to be done. It is important that we collectively do not take our eyes off the dial,” Nekundi said.
The Trans-Kalahari Railway is a planned rail corridor linking Walvis Bay to Gaborone, aimed at enhancing trade, logistics and regional connectivity.
Nekundi said the project carries significant regional value, with benefits extending beyond Namibia and Botswana to the broader Southern African Development Community region and the continent.
“This project has the potential to change the logistics landscape of both Botswana and Namibia,” he said.
The meeting, co-chaired by Botswana’s minister of transport and infrastructure, Noah Salakae, reviewed progress made since August.
This included the approval of the needs assessment and solutions options report, the commencement of technical and engineering assessments, and ongoing engagements with development financiers.
Nekundi said both countries remain united in their commitment to the project.
“It is our singular duty as the joint ministerial committee to oversee this project until full implementation,” he said.
“All supporting governance structures are functional, and we must give impetus to the processes critical to meeting the project objectives.”
Salakae described the Trans-Kalahari Railway as a transformative regional corridor with the potential to reshape connectivity.
“This railway is a transformative, multi-commodity regional corridor. Botswana remains committed to ensuring its successful implementation,” he said.
The two countries also welcomed insights gained during a benchmarking mission to Angola’s Lobito Corridor and engagements at the Luanda Financing Summit, where concession models and regulatory frameworks were examined.
The ministerial committee expressed appreciation to the joint technical committee and joint steering committee for their work and urged continued diligence as the project advances.
The next ministerial committee meeting is scheduled to take place at Swakopmund from 16 to 20 February 2026.
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