Infrastructure

Namibia’s infrastructure boasts a highly developed energy and water network and an advanced post and telecom system that can seamlessly link often isolated centres with each other and the world at large.

Energy 
NamPower is responsible for the generation, transmission and bulk supply with a grid network linking all major urban centres in the region – only small villages in remote locations and with very small populations are not yet comprehensively served. Due to the diverse nature of the regional economy, bulk supply, off-grid electricity and renewable energy plays an important role in economic growth.

Water
Though always a precious commodity in Namibia, Karas has access to reliable surface water resources, overseen by NamWater, who supply bulk water to local authorities and most settlements. The Naute Dam, the country’s second largest, has a capacity of 83,58 million m² and there is abundant water from the Orange River in the south, supplying large agricultural developments. 

 

Post, Telecoms, Media & Banking
Namibia has one of the most advanced telecom infrastructures in Africa, providing digital/direct dialing facilities for all communications needs, from internet, fax, telex and PABX, to ISDN and video conferencing.

MTC is currently Namibia’s sole cellular service provider, with a network that covers most urban centres and national roadways.

Nampost boasts the largest physical infrastructure network in the country, offering full postal services, savings bank facilities and money transfers, with a new counter automation project.

Media access in Namibia is provided by the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), which provides national TV and Radio coverage in English and in various local languages. DSTV's satellite network is also available. 

Besides Namibia’s central bank, five major commercial banks operate within the region, all with the SWIFT international fund transfer system available.

Retail, Industrial & Administrative Hubs 

Keetmanshoop, seat of the Karas Regional Council and agricultural capital of the region boasts a well-developed administrative, financial and commercial sector. Strategically located with good air, rail and road links, it offers many opportunities for retail and service industry development, with highly affordable land, access to essential services and stable, affordable labour. Retail opportunities include the potential for a high-visibility one-stop shopping and entertainment centre on the main B2 roadway from Windhoek to Cape Town.

Lüderitz, the region’s blossoming coastal trade hub, also with extensive infrastructural and commercial facilities, offers many business possibilities - from portside processing and manufacturing operations, to tourism and hospitality ventures at the town’s new Waterfront development and surrounds.

Namibia’s impressive infrastructure rivals that of most African countries. Despite its geographical position and expanse, First World technologies, together with well-established service, transport, communications and other commercial facilities ensure easy access and direct linkage to local and global markets and trading partners.

Road
Karas has a remarkably comprehensive and well-maintained road network, accounting for some 18% of the national network. Almost all trunk roads are paved, providing connection between all major towns in the region and fast, reliable routes to commercial hubs like Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, and to neighbouring countries.

Highways
Total: 64,808 km (2001), 63,258 km (1997 est.)
Paved: 5,378 km (2001), 5,250 km (1997 est.)
Unpaved: 59,430 km (2001), 58,008 km (1997 est.)

 

Rail
A national railway network (of which the Karas Region claims one third) links the region with South Africa and the rest of Namibia. Rail flow between Keetmanshoop and Ariamsvlei on the south eastern border by 1996, already measured some 931 000 tonnes pa. A new, improved link between Aus and Lüderitz is presently under construction.
Railways in "Nambia" are operated by TransNamib

Railway links to adjacent countries

• Angola - no - agreement signed for link - same 1067mm gauge[1] 
• Botswana - no - same gauge 
• South Africa - yes - same 1067mm gauge 
• Zambia - no - same gauge 
• Zimbabwe - no - same gauge
  
   

Air 
Air transportation facilities in the region are well provided, with major airports at Lüderitz and Keetmanshoop. Both airports are equipped for wide-bodied aircraft, with the potential for linkage to international destinations. Keetmanshoop hosts the Namibian Aviation Training Academy and is ideally suited to aircraft assembly and maintenance/testing facilities. Many established landing strips for light aircraft also exist throughout the region.Air Namibia operates the following services:

Domestic scheduled services: Lüderitz, Mpacha, Ondangwa, Oranjemund, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Windhoek. 
International scheduled destinations: Cape Town, Frankfurt, Johannesburg, Luanda, Maun and Victoria Falls. 

Air Namibia has introduced a direct service between Windhoek and London Gatwick with connections from Cape Town and Johannesburg and operated by their McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft.
 

Ports & Shipping
A massive injection of N$ 85 million by government in Lüderitz saw the beginning of an extensive upgrade of this important coastal trade and fishing hub, with the addition of quays to handle larger vessels (including passenger liners) as well as modern container and cargo handling facilities and customer-oriented services that ensure fast, economical movement of goods (including those from landlocked neighbours) to the wider world – from large qualities of processed zinc to, marine products and other regional produce.