Since construction of the Trans Kalahari Corridor (TKC), several initiatives have undertaken to see how best to develop the Botswana market via Walvis Bay.

These include establishment of the Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat (TKCS), the establishment of a Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) office in Johannesburg, and development of a dry port facility in Walvis Bay for Botswana.

Various activities were also hosted in Botswana to create awareness of Walvis Bay as an alternative international trade route for the landlocked country. Botswana, which has a similar economy in terms of size as Namibia, is now looking stronger than ever towards the Walvis Bay Corridors as a potential trade route. The WBCG has therefore embarked on an awareness campaign beyond the capital city of Botswana to other areas which are critical for decision making in Botswana.

An information session hosted by the WBCG, TKCS and Botswana Railways, was held in November in Francistown, which is strategically located to service countries like Zimbabwe. In his discussion, WBCG CEO, Johny Smith advised entrepreneurs to take advantage of the Trans Kalahari Corridor from Walvis Bay and to establish a transit hub to service countries such as Zimbabwe.

“Francistown can look at establishing distribution facilities. Entrepreneurs from Francistown and the rest of Botswana can also establish offices or branches in Walvis Bay and take advantage of the current existing niches in the logistics business. There are abundant opportunities that entrepreneurs from this country can take advantage of in the logistics business in Walvis Bay,” he said.

Smith suggested that if Francistown were to establish a logistics hub, it could further attract more investment in the city, create employment and add value to the economy. “The TKC presents a golden opportunity for Botswana to export and import goods in a cheaper and more effective way, which would further enhance the economy. In today’s competitive logistics environment, importers and exporters are constantly looking at alternatives for their clients aimed at reducing the time and cost of doing business within the region,” he said.

In addition, Smith explained that the TKC, linked to the port of Walvis Bay, has the potential to add value to the mining sector in Botswana.

Smith said the TKC provides a short transport link across the entire breadth of Southern Africa. Compared to the traditional Southern Namibia routes that link to South Africa’s Gauteng, Smith said TKC cuts the distance by 400km, making it a preferred route that provides cost-effective logistical advantages. He added that the TKC is a strategic route of choice that provides linkages between the Americas and East European markets as well as Southern African countries.

“Botswana is a landlocked country, but through this corridor Botswana will be able to compete fairly and benefit,” said Neil Fitt, permanent secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Fitt says his ministry is trying to facilitate transportation and the development of the corridor as part of that process. He said that the corridor speeds up transportation of goods and makes trade cheaper. He added that the TKC brings in goods and infrastructure. “It also gives a backbone to the connectivity of Information Communication Technology”.

However, the Fitt raised the concern that Botswana has little railway line running through Francistown. He said his ministry is establishing a railway line that connects to the Kazungula Bridge in Kasane in an effort to inject trade with neighbouring countries.