…2,300 km of gravel roads also targeted for upgrade to bitumen standard
The government is targeting the upgrading of 1,000 kilometres of Namibia’s railway infrastructure in the 2026/27 financial year as it directs N$952.1 million towards modernising the national rail network.
The railway programme has received the largest allocation under the Ministry of Works and Transport’s transport infrastructure programmes, exceeding the N$771.4 million allocated to road infrastructure.
Ministry Director for Administration Moses Matatias said railway development remains a flagship programme as the government seeks to upgrade and maintain the network through TransNamib and implement the Railway Master Plan.
“The second programme under the Department of Transport is the Provision and Upgrading of the Railway Network. This is the Ministry’s flagship programme and receives the largest allocation. The programme has been allocated N$952 million for the current financial year,” Matatias said.
Of the N$952.1 million allocation, N$946 million has been earmarked for development activities, while N$6.1 million will cover operational expenditure.
According to a presentation delivered by Matatias to members of the National Council, the government aims to have upgraded 1,000 kilometres of railway infrastructure by 2026/27, with the target increasing to 1,360 kilometres by 2028/29.
The programme also targets the maintenance of 1,600 kilometres of railway lines annually as the government seeks to improve the condition and reliability of the network.
Rail investment is expected to remain elevated over the medium term, with the programme’s allocation projected to increase to N$1.17 billion in 2027/28 before easing to N$1.08 billion in 2028/29.
The government is also targeting progress on the policy and regulatory framework governing the sector, including the completion of 28% of the Railway Master Plan and an 80% review of primary railway legislation.
The rail investment forms part of approximately N$1.72 billion allocated to road and railway infrastructure programmes in the current financial year.
Road infrastructure has been allocated N$771.4 million, including N$764.4 million for development expenditure.
Under the road programme, the government is targeting the upgrading of 2,300 kilometres of gravel roads to bitumen standard by 2026/27, alongside the rehabilitation of 725 kilometres of roads.
The Ministry also plans to construct one weighbridge and one vehicle registration centre and undertake road safety interventions.
The investment comes as Namibia seeks to strengthen its transport network and improve the movement of freight across the country and along regional trade corridors.
