Trans-Kalahari Railway enters procurement phase
The Trans-Kalahari Railway (TKR) project has moved into its procurement phase after a feasibility study found that the proposed 1 850-kilometre corridor is technically feasible, economically justified and capable of generating positive operating returns.
The Trans-Kalahari Railway (TKR) project has moved into its procurement phase after a feasibility study found that the proposed 1 850-kilometre corridor is technically feasible, economically justified and capable of generating positive operating returns.
The ministry of works and transport said the feasibility study supports the development of the railway that is intended to improve access to major coal, copper and iron ore deposits in Botswana while strengthening the Port of Walvis Bay’s role as a regional import and export hub.
The proposed funding structure is a public-private partnership (PPP) concession model, although the governments involved will still determine the final financing and procurement arrangements. The ministry said the procurement phase is estimated to start in August 2026.
However, construction does not yet have a definite start date.
“Construction will follow the procurement phase,” the ministry said, adding that the timing would depend on several factors, including regulatory approvals.
The government therefore said it was not possible at this stage to provide a definitive construction start date.
The TKR is expected to carry a diversified range of freight, including bulk commodities such as coal, copper, iron ore, fuel and cement, as well as containerised cargo.
The ministry has not yet released the estimated cargo volumes for the corridor. It said the final feasibility study has not been made publicly available and that the relevant cargo statistics would be published on the TKR project management office website once the report is finalised.
The project is expected to strengthen Namibia’s position as a logistics gateway for the region, particularly by providing Botswana with an alternative route for its mineral exports and imports.
The ministry said the railway could reduce Botswana’s reliance on congested South African ports, particularly Durban.
It also estimates that the project could create more than 36 000 jobs in Namibia during construction and operations. Meanwhile, progress on the proposed Trans-Zambezi Railway remains at the feasibility-study stage.
The government entered into a consultancy services contract on 9 June 2026 for a consultant to conduct a PPP feasibility study for the project.
The study is intended to assess whether the project can deliver value for money, whole-life cost efficiency and broader economic benefits.
It will also examine potential impacts on poverty reduction, affordability, employment, as well as social, environmental and climate-change considerations. The ministry said the study is still ongoing and that no findings are available yet.
The next stage of the TKR will involve procurement activities, including preparation of documentation, floating of procurement processes and engagement with potential private-sector partners.
