The Trans-Kalahari Project, which aims to build a 1.500-kilometer heavy-duty railway across the Kalahari Desert to export coal from Botswana, stands out as a major initiative. The project was reported by rail transport news portal Railway Supply, which announced that CPCS and Transcom, in collaboration with local partners, have launched a one-year feasibility study to assess the technical and economic potential of the route connecting the Mmamabula coalfield to the port of Walvis Bay in Namibia.
Project Infrastructure and Implementation Stages
The Trans-Kalahari Project is designed as a comprehensive infrastructure initiative aimed at maximising the logistics and commercial potential of the region. The line is expected to reach markets particularly in India and China. up to 90 million tons of coal per year This will not only increase Botswana’s export capacity but also significantly strengthen regional connectivity by providing access to the Pacific Ocean.
Fundamentals of the project, A memorandum of understanding was signed between Namibia and Botswana in 2010 In 2014, the two countries strengthened their resolve by signing a formal agreement to develop their railway and logistics infrastructure.
The plan is from Mmamabula in Botswana to Gobabis in Namibia. to build a new railway segment and the existing line from Windhoek to Walvis Bay within Namibia raise These efforts will significantly increase the line’s capacity and improve regional transportation efficiency.
Economic Prospects of the Trans-Kalahari Project
Botswana is seeking international investment and support to implement the project public-private partnership model The estimated cost of the project is 16 billion dollars It has been determined as a very high figure.
Botswana Ministry of Transport stressed that direct returns alone would not justify the investment, but long-term economic benefits These benefits include improving supply chains, opening new trade routes, establishing industrial centres and boosting tourism.
The railway aims to be more than just a coal corridor; it is expected to be a catalyst for large-scale transformation in Southern Africa. This project will strengthen both Botswana and Namibia’s strategic positions in the global market and is critical to the region’s economic future.
