Namibia is embarking on a significant railway infrastructure upgrade projected to span four years, backed by substantial funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Namibian government. The AfDB will allocate N$3.7 billion towards the initiative, complemented by N$3.4 billion from the Namibian government, with an additional N$5 million from the AfDB’s Middle Income Country Technical Assistance Fund.
Robert Kalomho, Director of Railway Infrastructure Management at Namibia’s Ministry of Works and Transport, outlined that the focal point of the upgrade will be a 220 km stretch between Kranzberg in the uranium-rich Erongo Region and Otjiwarongo in central Namibia.
This overhaul aims to enhance operational efficiency, eliminate speed restrictions, and alleviate bottlenecks within Namibia’s transport sector, promoting sustainability and safety.
Currently in the procurement phase, the government has initiated preparatory activities, including the compilation of solicitation documents. Kalomho emphasized that while no implementation has commenced, preparations are underway to address the extensive upgrades required across Namibia’s 2687 km railway network, which spans the country and is managed by TransNamib as the sole operator.
Aligned with Namibia’s strategic logistics chain, the project underpins the second phase of the Transport Infrastructure Improvement Project (TIIP), approved by the AfDB in 2023. It encompasses the construction of 16 bridges, refurbishment of two stations, and procurement of 55,000 tonnes of rails to bolster track infrastructure. Additionally, modernizing the railway signalling system along the Walvis Bay-Tsumeb line aims to enhance reliability and capacity, optimizing overall railway performance.
The upgraded railway corridor is expected to traverse commercial agricultural areas and urban centers, benefitting transporters, agricultural communities, and industries alike with faster, safer, and more cost-effective rail transport options.
This shift from road to rail transport is anticipated to reduce road maintenance costs and bolster regional and national development efforts. Moreover, Namibia and Zambia are progressing with plans for the Trans-Zambezi Railway Extension-Grootfontein-Rundu-Katima Mulilo project, following the completion of a feasibility study in 2022 and ongoing discussions to establish a Joint Technical Committee to oversee the initiative.
Source: Railway Africa
