Improving transport, mobility and logistics in Namibia

Context

The transport sector is of great importance for the Namibian economy. It is a basis for sustainable development, and it enables access to employment, markets and social services. 

A core challenge in the transport sector is a lack of qualified experts in the ministries and affiliated public authorities, the private and tertiary sector. There is also insufficient capacity between and within state actors, which limits the ability to manage and implement transport strategies and policies. The result is under-developed transport services.

Since early 2004, GIZ has been supporting relevant Namibian institutions in achieving Namibia’s National Development Plans. In December 2016 a third phase of this project commenced under the title “Transport, Mobility, Logistics”.  

Objective

Service delivery by state actors operating in the transport, mobility and logistics sector has improved in Namibia in both quality and quantity.

Approach

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development offers technical support to the Namibian Government in sustainable transport sector development in four working areas through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. 

Output A: Governance in the transport, mobility and logistics sector
The focus is on supporting the Ministry of Works and Transport (MWT) and other transport institutions to efficiently manage, plan, monitor and regulate the transport sector. GIZ advises the Ministry in transport policy, in performance-monitoring state-owned enterprises and supports human-capacity and organisational development by providing training and  access to international consultancies.

Output B: Sustainable mobility
The capital Windhoek receives support in modernising the existing municipal bus operations with a modern network and improved organisational structures. A holistic non-motorised transport network was also developed.

In the Northern Regions, GIZ provides assistance for a bus feasibility study to operate a private bus corridor between the main urban centres. Local authorities will also be enabled to identify corridors and construct adequate infrastructure for non-motorised transport. 

Overall, the partners are supported in developing sustainable funding mechanisms and responsive legal frameworks.
 

Output C: Development of a logistics hub for the SADC Region
Namibia wants to develop itself into a regional leader in logistics and distribution by 2030. Building upon the Master Plan for Development of an International Logistics Hub for SADC countries in the Republic of Namibia, GIZ provides active support for the effective realisation of the project. 

Output D: Academic performance in civil engineering
Addressing the lack of adequately trained civil engineers, GIZ cooperates with the University of Namibia (UNAM) and the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST). This includes assistance in developing and implementing Bachelor, Master and PhD programmes, purchasing equipment for research facilities as well as laboratory accreditation processes. The aim is to increase the numbers of qualified civil engineers and lecturers, enhance research capacities, and improve the overall performance of the academic sector.

Result

The project has achieved the following key results so far: 

• Development of the new Namibian Transport Policy which was then passed by cabinet.
• Around 2.5 million passengers now use the public bus system in Windhoek annually.
• Approval of the Master Plan for Sustainable Transport for four central northern regions by Cabinet.
• Publication of the first and second State of Logistics Report 
• More than 500 engineering graduates, currently 150 students in the Bachelor Programme for Civil Engineering, of whom 25 per cent are female.

Last update: March 2021