Assistant Minister Keoagile Atamelang Highlights Botswana’s Rail Corridors, Open Access Policy and Kalahari City Vision during SARA Ministerial Panel
During the recent Southern African Railways Association (SARA) Ministerial Panel, Hon Keoagile Atamelang, Botswana’s Assistant Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, outlined Botswana’s rail priorities, including major corridor projects, open access legislation, and the planned Kalahari City logistics hub.
He described the government’s intention to position Botswana as a regional logistics centre and emphasised the role of private sector participation in realising this vision.
Developing Multiple Corridors
Atamelang said that Botswana is pursuing not one but several strategic railway corridors. These include the 1,500-kilometre Trans-Kalahari line linking Botswana with Walvis Bay in Namibia; the Techobanine Corridor connecting Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique; the Mmamabula–Lephalale link with South Africa; and the Mosetse–Livingstone–Kazungula line linking Botswana with Zambia and ultimately the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He said these projects are intended to establish Botswana as a “centre of logistics” for the Southern African Development Community (SADC), taking advantage of its geographical location as a transit hub. “All trains pass through our country,” he noted, adding that Botswana is determined not to be the weakest link in the region’s transport chain.
Addressing Policy and Coordination Gaps
Atamelang acknowledged that overlapping mandates across ministries have historically created gaps in cross-border infrastructure development. Projects such as rail lines, roads, and border posts have sometimes been developed in isolation, creating impediments to transit. To address this, Botswana is prioritising bilateral agreements and pursuing standardisation across legislation and policies to ensure seamless connections with neighbouring countries.
He emphasised that for South Africa’s rail corridors to be effective, Botswana’s lines must match their capacity, and similarly for Zimbabwe and other neighbours. Botswana is therefore working to harmonise its network to support regional interoperability.
Open Access and Public-Private Partnerships
Atamelang confirmed that Botswana is moving towards an open access framework, opening both above-rail and below-rail operations to private players, including through public-private partnership (PPP) models. Feasibility studies have been conducted on all the planned corridors, and the government is inviting investors to participate.
He said appetite for investment exists, as SADC countries cannot afford to finance rail infrastructure alone. Involving private partners would create “satellite economies” that are more resilient than state-led projects alone. “Competition gives birth to innovation, and innovation gives birth to progress,” he stated, adding that Botswana is committed to creating investor-friendly frameworks.
Atamelang said that investor confidence depends on safe and predictable regulatory environments. By pursuing open access and PPPs, Botswana aims to unlock the capital required for major rail projects while offloading some of the state’s responsibilities to the private sector.
Kalahari City Vision
Atamelang highlighted “Kalahari City” as part of Botswana’s strategic thinking to link rail with wider economic development. He explained that Kalahari City will be a logistics hub and smart city concept tied to the Trans-Kalahari Railway and linked through bilateral agreements with Namibia, including access to a dry port.
The project is envisioned as a regional logistics and manufacturing centre comparable to developments in other parts of the world, positioning Botswana as a “powerhouse in the region and even in Africa.” Atamelang invited investors to scope opportunities within Kalahari City, emphasising that “the train is moving” and that Botswana intends to use rail as the backbone for broader economic growth.
Policy Foundations and Next Steps
Looking ahead, Atamelang said the immediate priority is finalising open access legislation, which must be carefully designed to be effective and adaptable. Once the legislation is in place, consequential policies will follow.
He also stressed the importance of resolving governance challenges in cross-border projects. Bilateral agreements and harmonised regulatory frameworks are essential for projects such as the Trans-Kalahari and Mosetse–Kazungula corridors, ensuring they do not stall at borders.
Rail is central to Botswana’s economic future. By reprioritising rail, Botswana will unlock opportunities across tourism, agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, supported by abundant natural resources and strategic location.
