07 May 2025

Construction of three rail link projects is  underway and feasibility studies have commenced, says Mister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Noah Salakae.

Mr Salakae was speaking during a  stakeholders engagement  for the preparation of the National Development Plan (NDP) 12 in Gaborone on Tuesday. 

He said the  three rail  projects were the Mmamabula-Lephalale, Mosetse-Kazungula Livingstone, and the Trans Kalahari corridor.

These initiatives, he said would   be executed through Public Private Partnerships (PPP), are anticipated to unlock new economic opportunities, generate jobs, and enhance access to mineral and agricultural markets, thereby facilitating improved trade with neighbouring countries.

“The rail network, for instance, is constrained by a single north-to-south line, limiting trade capacity and flexibility.”

To address these challenges, he called for the development of alternative trade corridors as a means to enhance national and regional economic resilience.

Minister Salakae also reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to revolutionise the country’s infrastructure, stressing that national prosperity hinged on bold planning and decisive investment in world-class infrastructure.

“The state of our current systems fail to meet the needs of citizens in both rural and urban areas,” Mr Salakae said.

He pointed out that the country’s rail, road, power, and sewerage systems were outdated and inadequate. 

“A large portion of households still lack access to proper sanitation, and our transport infrastructure cannot effectively support job creation or modern agricultural practices,” he noted.

Highlighting data from Statistics Botswana, Mr Salakae illustrated the urgency for reform within the transportation sector, revealing that in 2023, transport and logistics contributed only 2.7 per cent to employment and 2-2.5 per cent to Gross Domestic Product over the past decade.

He acknowleged the poor state of existing infrastructure, which had been exacerbated by recent floods.

Minister Salakae also addressed road safety issues, citing problems such as drunken driving, speeding, potholes, and stray livestock that continued to threaten lives and cause social disruptions. He urged all stakeholders to unite in implementing targeted interventions to improve road safety and enforcement. ENDS