Namibia and Botswana have renewed their focus on the Trans-Kalahari Railway Corridor and the strategic role of the Port of Walvis Bay as the two neighbouring countries push to deepen regional trade and connectivity.
The commitment emerged during a one-day working visit by Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko to Namibia, where he was hosted by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
The visit followed recent engagements under the Bi-National Commission, with both leaders reaffirming the importance of regular consultations to ensure the implementation of bilateral agreements.
Discussions centred on trade promotion, infrastructure development, natural resource management and logistics, with both sides identifying Walvis Bay and the Trans-Kalahari Railway Corridor as key to unlocking regional value chains and boosting competitiveness.
The two leaders also highlighted the importance of improved trade corridors, infrastructure and technology to ease the movement of goods and people between their countries and across the region.
According to the Namport 2025 Annual report, Botswana remains a key market for Namport, especially as copper exports and diversification initiatives continue to gain momentum.
Namport said the absence of direct rail links to Botswana and Zambia remains a key barrier to the competitiveness of Namibian ports.
Namport contends that rail offers a more reliable, lower-cost, and scalable mode of transport for landlocked markets, and its absence limits the efficiency of Namibia’s strategic corridors.
Namport has said the successful completion and operation of the Trans-Kalahari and Trans-Zambezi railways would undoubtedly enhance the competitiveness of Namibian ports.
In the fourth quarter, bulk copper exports through the Port of Walvis Bay recorded a 5% year-on-year increase in volumes.
Overall, copper concentrate exports through the Port are projected to reach 390,000 tonnes in the 2025/26 financial year.
The Trans Kalahari Corridor is important for Botswana’s copper and coal exports, together with South Africa’s manganese flows, which influence throughput at Walvis Bay. The proposed Trans Kalahari Railway project is a 1 500-kilometre railway line aimed at linking Botswana’s vast mineral resources with Namibia’s Atlantic port at Walvis Bay.
Written by Chamwe Kaira for Railways Africa
