The Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) of the Trans-Kalahari Railway (TKR) Project convened on 17 April 2026 at Seaside Hotel & Spa in Swakopmund, Namibia.
The meeting was held at the invitation of Honourable Veikko Nekundi, MP, Minister of Works and Transport of the Republic of Namibia. It was co-chaired by Honourable Nekundi and Honourable Noah S.L.M. Salakae, MP, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Botswana.
The meeting underscored the continued commitment of both countries to ensuring the successful implementation of the Trans-Kalahari Railway Project.
Honourable Nekundi was accompanied by Mr Robert Kalomho, Acting Deputy Executive Director, Ministry of Works and Transport and co-chair of the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) and the Joint Technical Committee (JTC); H.E. Ms Elizabeth N. Kakukuru, High Commissioner of Namibia to Botswana; Mr Desmond Van Jaarsveld, Chief Executive Officer of TransNamib; Mr Edward Shivute, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group; and other senior government officials.
Honourable Salakae was accompanied by Mr Pius Seone, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and co-chair of the JSC; Mr Johannes Tsimako, co-chair of the JTC; H.E. Mr Philip Khwae, High Commissioner of Botswana to Namibia; Mr Okitanye Gaogane, Caretaker General Manager of Botswana Railways; Mr Derick Mokgatle, Managing Director of Sea Rail Botswana; and senior government officials.
The meeting reviewed progress on the implementation of key project components since the last JMC meeting, which was held in December 2025. It noted with appreciation the successful completion of the legal due diligence report, the undertaking of the route alignment verification, and the approval of the preferred route alignment.
The co-chairs noted the significance of the forthcoming completion of the feasibility study, which is envisaged to be completed by June 2026. The completion of the study will be instrumental in progressing the project to the next phase.
The meeting recognised that the Trans-Kalahari Railway is more than an infrastructure project. It is a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity between Namibia and Botswana, while positioning the Port of Walvis Bay as a key gateway for regional and international trade.
The project is expected to support sectors such as mining, agriculture and manufacturing, while creating employment and stimulating development along the corridor.
The co-chairs further emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum as the project advances towards implementation. They underscored the need for continued collaboration, timely decision-making, and alignment with national development priorities and regional frameworks, including the SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
They reiterated that the Trans-Kalahari Railway represents a shared ambition to build resilient infrastructure that connects people, markets and opportunities, while ensuring that the benefits of development are inclusive and sustainable for future generations.
The co-chairs expressed appreciation to the JTC and the JSC for their contributions and reaffirmed the shared commitment by the two countries to advance the TKR Project as a transformative, multi-commodity regional corridor that strengthens trade, logistics connectivity and socio-economic integration within the SADC region.
Honourable Salakae expressed gratitude to Honourable Nekundi for the welcome and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation, while Honourable Nekundi expressed appreciation to Honourable Salakae for joining him to co-chair the JMC in Namibia.
Honourable Salakae extended an invitation for Honourable Nekundi to attend the next JMC, to be held in Botswana in July 2026.
