Once completed in 2016 the Trans-Kalahari railway would serve as an alternative relief to the already congested corridors within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and grant landlocked countries much-needed access to European, Asian and American markets.
The railway connection being developed at a cost of about N$100 billion (about US$9.2 billion), to connect Botswana to the Atlantic Port of Walvis Bay in Namibia, would ensure that the SADC vision for regional integration is realized, according to the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources of Botswana, Onkokame Kitso Mokaila. The two countries signed the agreement last week in Walvis Bay.
The project is expected to create jobs, new business and trade opportunities for citizens of both countries. “Trans-Kalahari Railway is so important to SADC and Africa, since it will further afford alternate transportation routes for landlocked countries such as Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It will be ideal for the exportation of bulk commodities destined for Europe, Asia and America,” he said. According to Mokaila, Namibia and Botswana are also aware of the environmental challenges associated with coal and coal generated electricity, but went on to say that coal will be a source of fuel for power generation for years to come. “It is in this regard that the development of TKR and commodity handling facilities in Walvis Bay will go a long way in facilitating the development of the estimated 212 billion tonnes of coal resource in Botswana in power generation and others,” Mokaila explained.
He said with the ever growing demand for power in the region and elsewhere, the Walvis Bay commodity terminal is expected to handle about 65 million metric tonnes of coal per year.
President Hifikepunye Pohamba and late president Sir Seretse Khama of Botswana received plaudits for taking a personal interest in the realisation of the railway line. “Was it not for the two presidents and other important role-players that were instrumental toward the realisation of the project, we would not have been signing this agreement today,” said Mokaila. Namibian Minister of Mines and Energy, Erkki Ngmintina said the signing of the Trans-Kalahari Railway agreement provides an added impetus and a new platform for people of both countries to lay the groundwork for industrialisation.
“It does not hamper existing gateways, but creates a new path for new and additional role-players,” Nghimtina said. He added that the two countries will further consult and engage to assist the technical ministries as the implementation of the project continues.
The railway connection being developed at a cost of about N$100 billion (about US$9.2 billion), to connect Botswana to the Atlantic Port of Walvis Bay in Namibia, would ensure that the SADC vision for regional integration is realized, according to the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources of Botswana, Onkokame Kitso Mokaila. The two countries signed the agreement last week in Walvis Bay.
The project is expected to create jobs, new business and trade opportunities for citizens of both countries. “Trans-Kalahari Railway is so important to SADC and Africa, since it will further afford alternate transportation routes for landlocked countries such as Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It will be ideal for the exportation of bulk commodities destined for Europe, Asia and America,” he said. According to Mokaila, Namibia and Botswana are also aware of the environmental challenges associated with coal and coal generated electricity, but went on to say that coal will be a source of fuel for power generation for years to come. “It is in this regard that the development of TKR and commodity handling facilities in Walvis Bay will go a long way in facilitating the development of the estimated 212 billion tonnes of coal resource in Botswana in power generation and others,” Mokaila explained.
He said with the ever growing demand for power in the region and elsewhere, the Walvis Bay commodity terminal is expected to handle about 65 million metric tonnes of coal per year.
President Hifikepunye Pohamba and late president Sir Seretse Khama of Botswana received plaudits for taking a personal interest in the realisation of the railway line. “Was it not for the two presidents and other important role-players that were instrumental toward the realisation of the project, we would not have been signing this agreement today,” said Mokaila. Namibian Minister of Mines and Energy, Erkki Ngmintina said the signing of the Trans-Kalahari Railway agreement provides an added impetus and a new platform for people of both countries to lay the groundwork for industrialisation.
“It does not hamper existing gateways, but creates a new path for new and additional role-players,” Nghimtina said. He added that the two countries will further consult and engage to assist the technical ministries as the implementation of the project continues.
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