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This report deals with the Walvis Bay Corridor. Port and Corridor Development in the Namibia has been investigated, together with (renewable) energy and water sectors, with the ultimate goal to identify markets for the 2g@there cluster members and beyond. The report is a compilation of various investment and trade related information on the Walvis Bay Corridor providing a fair overview of the opportunities for Dutch companies.
Namibia
Namibia is 20 times bigger than the Netherlands in terms of the surface area. Namibia has a small population of just over 2 million people. The education system is not working as it should and the official unemployment rate is rising (now around 30%). The most important source of income is from the mining industry. The above facts give additional reason, besides economic reasons of course, to look at the possibilities around the port of Walvis Bay and the Walvis Bay Corridor.
Walvis Bay and transport corridor(s)
Walvis Bay is Namibia’s largest commercial port and is strategically located, with direct access to principal shipping routes. Namibia has a small internal market; 2.1 million people, while southern Africa has 300 million people. The actual size of the port of Walvis Bay would hardly need more development to serve the country.
However, Namibia can play an important role for the neighbouring countries. And that is exactly what is does now. Angola, Botswana, South Africa (mainly Gauteng), Zambia and Zimbabwe are connected by the road and rail transport corridors, mostly having Walvis Bay as their starting point. WBCG (Walvis Bay Corridor Group) is a facilitator pushing Walvis Bay, and therewith Namibia, as a hub for southern Africa. Being a facilitator it brings the public (governments) and private businesses together.
Other sectors
Energy: The power supply situation in Namibia will remain critical until the commissioning of a base-load power station by 2015/16. The Dutch organization KEMA is already working with NamPower on solutions.
Water: NamWater and the Nambian society as a whole is constantly looking for new and more efficient ways to make use of the scarce (drinking) water resources that are available. In a decentralized system, municipalities are responsible for the distribution of water.
The Walvis Bay Corridor report reveals the following business opportunities:
- Port, logistics and transport sector;
- Energy; production and distribution;
- Water; storage, distribution, purification;
- Agricultural management;
- Education and training.
