The Karibib–Usakos road has officially opened, with Government declaring the N$552 million upgrade a major step towards safer travel, stronger trade links and a more efficient transport corridor to the Port of Walvis Bay.
Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi officially opened the rehabilitated 31-kilometre road in Usakos on Friday, describing the project as the delivery of a promise to the people of Erongo and Namibia. The former 6.4-metre-wide road has been transformed into a 13.4-metre modern road, featuring wider lanes, surfaced shoulders, overtaking lanes, strengthened and widened bridges, improved drainage and enhanced pedestrian infrastructure.
Karibib town has also received upgraded roads, paved parking areas and sidewalks. The road forms part of the Trans-Kalahari, Trans-Cunene and Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridors, linking Namibia and neighbouring countries to the Port of Walvis Bay. “This project is more than asphalt and concrete. It is about connecting communities, enabling trade, and laying the foundation for future growth,” Nekundi said.
Construction began in November 2023. The original project was subsequently expanded to include Karibib town roads, the new District 1935 access road and the Kanone River Hospital Bridge in Usakos.
The revised construction contract stands at N$498.61 million, with consultancy services adding N$53.69 million, bringing the total project investment to approximately N$552.25 million.
The project was financed through a partnership between Government and KfW Development Bank.
It also created 593 jobs and provided training and mentorship opportunities for Roads Authority engineers-in-training. Namibian SMEs were involved in bridge works, drainage, paving, gabions, guardrails and road furniture.
Safety remains a major concern on the corridor.
Approximately 2 975 vehicles travel the Karibib–Usakos road daily, including 2 040 light vehicles and 935 heavy vehicles. Nekundi said the road had witnessed numerous serious and fatal crashes, particularly during holiday periods.
He urged motorists to respect road signs and drive responsibly, warning that a driver’s licence should mean “to arrive alive and not otherwise.”
But Government’s road-safety ambitions extend beyond the new pavement.
And Government is already looking beyond Karibib–Usakos.
Nekundi announced that the next major focus will be the146-kilometre Swakopmund – Usakos road upgrade. The widening of the Khan River Bridge, continuing the drive to modernise a corridor vital to Namibia’s logistics ambitions.
By Rudi Bowe
