Namibia: Roads Authority Delivers Key Road Projects Despite N$4.25b Budget Cuts

What the report says

Namibia’s Roads Authority says it completed significant road works in the 2024/25 financial year despite large funding constraints, according to a New Era report distributed by AllAfrica. The agency delivered nearly 115 kilometres of upgraded bitumen and new gravel roads while working through a reported N$4.25 billion budget gap. The article says the shortfall affected maintenance, rehabilitation and expansion plans across the national road network.

The report states that the RA needed about N$8.4 billion for the year but received roughly N$4.7 billion in total, with funding coming from both the Road Fund Administration and government allocations. It says the biggest pressure came from reduced Road Fund Administration disbursements, which left the authority far below what was needed to preserve existing roads. New capital funding was also below request, limiting some planned strategic projects.

Despite this, the agency reported progress on major corridor routes, including the Windhoek to Okahandja and Windhoek to Hosea Kutako International Airport freeway upgrades, as well as projects around Swakopmund, Henties Bay, Kamanjab, Gobabis, Aminius and Aranos. It also said around 10 small and medium-sized contractors were engaged and about 350 jobs were created through labour-based work.

Rehabilitation of older bitumen roads lagged sharply, with only 5.5 kilometres completed against a much larger target. The report suggests the spending gap may continue to affect road conditions and connectivity, even as newer economic and rural access routes are extended.