N$5 billion ‘not enough’ to sustain road network, RA says

Government is currently funding only about 40% of what is required to properly maintain Namibia’s road network, a critical shortfall the Roads Authority (RA) warns is putting the country’s infrastructure under growing strain.

The concerns were raised during a media engagement held in Windhoek last Thursday, where RA CEO Hippy Tjivikua said even the often-cited N$5 billion annual requirement falls short of what is needed to sustain the network.

“That amount might sound big, but in our sector it is just to keep us alive,” Tjivikua said, underscoring the scale of the funding challenge facing the authority.

He stressed that road infrastructure planning is not about immediate needs but long-term national development.

“We don’t build infrastructure for now. We plan for 20, 30 even 50 years ahead,” he said, pointing to projects like the Western Bypass in Windhoek as examples of forward-looking design meant to accommodate future traffic demand.

Despite this long-term approach, Tjivikua acknowledged that current funding limitations force the authority to stretch resources thinly across maintenance, rehabilitation and new developments.

“We have to find ways of doing more with less,” he admitted.

Delayed maintenance drives higher costs

The funding gap was further detailed by RA executive for engineering services, Mex Muatjetjeja, who presented figures showing that existing allocations cover only about 40% of optimal maintenance requirements.

The shortfall is the biggest risk to the sustainability of Namibia’s nearly 50 000 km road network, the RA noted, as delayed maintenance leads to faster deterioration and significantly higher rehabilitation costs over time.

The impact is already being felt, particularly on gravel roads, which make up the majority of the road network in Namibia.

Up to 60% of these roads are in poor or impassable condition, affecting access to services and economic activity in rural areas.

Tjivikua said recent heavy rains in parts of the country, especially in the Zambezi and northern regions, have worsened the situation by accelerating road damage.

“When it rains, it is good for farmers, but roads do not like water,” he said, noting that high moisture levels weaken road structures and shorten their lifespan.

Emergency repair teams have already been deployed to damaged areas, but Tjivikua warned that such interventions further strain limited resources.

Critical roads beyond lifespan

Beyond weather-related damage, he highlighted several critical road corridors that now operate beyond their intended lifespan, including sections of the Kongola–Katima Mulilo route and other key links essential for regional connectivity.

“These roads are vital for our economy and social development, and their condition is non-negotiable,” Tjivikua said.

The engineering presentation also outlined a wide range of ongoing and planned projects, from major rehabilitation works to upgrades to bitumen standards and the construction of access roads to clinics, schools and settlements across the country.

However, officials cautioned that the pace of these projects will remain constrained unless funding improves.

To bridge the gap, the RA is advocating for increased road user contributions, including a potential adjustment to the fuel levy, to secure more sustainable financing for the sector.

Tjivikua said failure to invest adequately now would ultimately shift the burden onto road users.

“The cost of not maintaining roads is far greater. It ends up being paid by the public through vehicle damage and higher transport costs,” he said.

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