Status of the Trans-Kalahari Railway feasibility study
The Trans-Kalahari Railway Project is an ambitious collaborative initiative that involves both Namibia and Botswana, and it is currently in the process of evaluating various bids to select a consultant who will conduct a comprehensive feasibility study. According to Moemedi Matsoga, who serves as the Chief Public Relations Officer in Botswana’s Ministry of Transport and Public Works, the announcement of the successful bidder is anticipated to take place by September.
The primary objective of this project is to construct a railway line that will extend from Walvis Bay in Namibia to the coalfields located in Mmamabula, Botswana. This significant development will encompass not only the railway line itself but also the necessary rolling stock, which includes locomotives and wagons, as well as maintenance facilities. Additionally, a terminal will be established at Walvis Bay, where coal can be efficiently off-loaded and subsequently loaded onto ships for export purposes. This railway initiative is part of a broader array of cross-border railway projects that Botswana is actively pursuing. Matsoga also highlighted that there are ongoing feasibility studies for the Mmamabula-Lephalale Railway link, which aims to connect South Africa and Botswana, as well as the Mosetse-Kazungula-Livingstone Railway, which will link Botswana with Zambia. In relation to the Limpopo Railway Line, Matsoga pointed out the significant interest expressed by Botswana, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe in investing in a multimodal regional port and transport infrastructure project.
This initiative is designed to provide substantial benefits to the involved countries and the surrounding region. The plan includes the development of a deep seaport at Ponta Techobanine, located in Mozambique’s Maputo Province, along with a heavy haul railway line that will facilitate the transportation of various trade commodities, including minerals, fuel, agricultural products, and general merchandise. This initiative is formally known as the Onshore Deep Sea Port and Heavy Haul Railway Line, Ponta Techobanine Project (PTP). The three governments involved have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to advance this project and are dedicated to mobilizing financing for both upstream and downstream activities. Matsoga emphasized that the PTP project will necessitate a robust business case to attract investment, ideally through active participation from the private sector, and will require thorough feasibility studies to ensure its success. The proposed infrastructure aims to optimize both distances and travel times between the economic hubs of the three participating countries, providing a viable alternative to the currently congested regional railway routes. This development is expected to significantly enhance the competitiveness of the operational railway networks and increase both national and regional freight traffic. Matsoga mentioned that the feasibility study will play a crucial role in identifying the preferred new railway routes, port facilities, and other essential investments.
It will also deliver a preliminary assessment regarding the project’s technical, economic, financial, environmental, and social feasibility. The ultimate goal is to foster a shared understanding among the three governments regarding how the proposed project can be effectively executed, including strategies for involving the private sector. He further noted that such large-scale projects typically require considerable time to develop, making it essential for the three governments to maximize the utilization of existing railway lines while simultaneously advancing the new project. An assessment of the current railway lines is necessary to pinpoint areas along the Limpopo Corridor that may require intervention. Matsoga added that timelines for the PTP project will be communicated as discussions continue to progress, ensuring that all stakeholders remain informed and engaged throughout the process.
