The governments of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia hope to boost regional trade by improving the efficiency of the Trans-Kalahari Corridor network. This should happen through the establishment of a number of new truck stops along the transport corridors traversing all three countries.
 
The viability of establishing the truck stops has been confirmed by a feasibility study, says the Trans-Kalahari Corridor Management Committee (TKCMC) in a statement.

The feasibility study engaged numerous stakeholders, including the transport industry, local and provincial government, government agencies and other allied industries.
 
The network consists of the Trans-Kalahari, the Trans-Cunene and the Walvis Bay – Ndola – Lubumbashi (Trans-Caprivi) corridors, linking the three countries with each other and with Angola and Zambia.
 
Primary and secondary sites have been investigated in detail in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, and the establishment of four new truck stops have been recommended along the Trans-Kalahari Corridor.

The total investment for the development of the truck stops is estimated at around R55-million. This excludes the cost of the land, which is expected to be priced at municipal value.
 
The TKCMC says the transport corridors are important, as they ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods between countries.

In Namibia and throughout most of Southern Africa, the transport routes are mostly road based. Given the long distances associated with many of these routes, and the relative scarcity of urban settlements along the transport corridors, issues of road safety, driver fatigue and cargo security have become important considerations.

The governments of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia are, therefore, keen to take a closer look at the various transport routes between South Africa, through Botswana, to Namibia, says the TKCMC.

Industry has indicated that it will support well managed and operated truck stop facilities and that it is prepared to pay for these services.

Further business opportunities exist for restaurant facilities, maintenance facilities, security services and fuel service stations.
 
An investor profile is available at TKCMC, with the document providing detailed information on the various proposed truck stops, including proposed designs, facilities per truck stop, assessments of proposed sites and financial analyses.