The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) promotes trade and development in Namibia and surrounding countries. As the custodian of corridor development, the WBCG regularly engages in debates on major infrastructure projects such as the Trans-Kalahari and Trans-Zambezi trains. These projects attempt to improve connectivity and trade efficiency in the region.
The Trans-Kalahari Railway, a bilateral project between Botswana and Namibia, will construct a line from Walvis Bay to Botswana’s Mmamabula coalfields. Meanwhile, the Trans-Zambezi Railway extension will connect Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Zimbabwe. These advancements will provide much-needed capacity to handle the growing cargo volumes, particularly bulk commodities like minerals, driven by the booming mining industries in DRC, Zambia, and Botswana.
WBCG’s efforts extend beyond infrastructure development. Their proactive approach to business development has attracted new clients and diversified the goods transported through the Walvis Bay Corridors. This includes novel ventures like sugar imports from Brazil and exports of coal and copper concentrate from Botswana. Such diversification strengthens Namibia’s position as a preferred trade route for Southern Africa.
Current industry trends in the Namibian market show an increase in freight volumes. Rising demand in important markets such as Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is driving this expansion. The expansion of mining activities in Namibia, particularly in lithium and uranium, increases the demand for efficient transportation and logistics services.
WBCG also recognizes the potential of emerging markets. Major multinational corporations establishing operations in Walvis Bay and Lüderitz for oil and gas, as well as green hydrogen industries, contribute to the demand for logistics solutions. Additionally, Namibia’s growing manganese industry is expected to generate a significant increase in exports via Lüderitz Port starting later this year.
The success stories include introducing new commodities like Brazilian sugar imports and facilitating exports of coal and copper concentrate from Botswana. These efforts demonstrate WBCG’s commitment to expanding trade opportunities and solidifying Namibia’s position as the preferred trade route for Southern Africa.
Looking ahead, the Walvis Bay Corridors currently transport a variety of goods. The Trans-Kalahari Corridor facilitates the movement of sugar from Brazil to Botswana and Zimbabwe, Botswana’s coal exports to China, copper concentrate to China, and even in-transit fuel exports. The Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor focuses on copper, sulphur, new vehicles, fast-moving consumer goods, in-transit fuel exports from Zambia, and malt for DRC and Zambia. Finally, the Trans-Oranje Corridor specializes in transporting manganese from South Africa’s Northern Cape to China via Lüderitz.
The Walvis Bay Corridor Group serves as a vital facilitator of trade and development in Southern Africa. Through strategic infrastructure projects, attracting new clients, and diversifying commodities, WBCG is actively working to strengthen Namibia’s position as a key trade route in the region. Their focus on emerging markets and Namibia’s own growing mining industry positions them well to capitalize on future trade opportunities.
