The Trans-Kalahari Railway Project Management Office (TKR-PMO) is looking for a consultant to assist with the preparation of the request for proposals (RFP) documentation to be issued to shortlisted companies for the development of the Trans-Kalahari railway project between Botswana and Namibia. The deadline for submissions from interested consultants is 26 June.

The Trans-Kalahari railway will run for about 1,500km from the coalfields at Mmamabula in Botswana to the port of Walvis Bay in Namibia.

The TKR-PMO is looking to execute the project under a design, build, finance, operate, maintain and transfer contract model. The investors would fund the feasibility study and develop the proposed new railway corridor and/or upgrade the existing railway between the two countries under a public-private partnership (PPP).

A request for expressions of interest from developers and financiers was issued in September 2023, with a deadline of 9 November.

The following groups and companies were subsequently shortlisted for the project:

•    NGE Contracting (France)

•    Orascom Construction (Egypt)

•    Lesedi Nehawu Investment JV (South Africa)

•    Helo Group (Namibia)

•    West Coast Energy (Namibia)

•    Mega North Holdings (Namibia)

•    China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (China)

•    Fullbright Investment (Namibia)

•    Grindrod (Namibia)

•    Rail Vikas Nigam (India)

•    Trans-Kalahari Railway Initiative Consortium (Namibia/South Africa)

•    Nations Capital Projects / SevenFive Investments CC (South Africa)

It was said at the time that the RFP would be issued to the 12 shortlisted participants by March. The TKR-PMO further said in February that it was aiming to appoint a developer to execute the project by May.

That timeline has clearly slipped considerably with a consultant only now being sought to assist with the development of the RFP documentation.

According to the terms of reference for the consultancy role, the RFP documentation will take about 14 weeks to prepare.

The consultant will also assist with bid evaluation, undertake the feasibility study and advise on the PPP contract negotiations through to financial close.

The TKR-PMO is based in Windhoek, Namibia.

Photo: Railway line in Namibia (Source: © Carlos Neto | Dreamstime)