Allexer Namundjembo
The plan to introduce toll gates on major roads across the country remains stalled, with no significant progress reported.
The Road Fund Administration (RFA) has confirmed that the project is still undergoing internal approvals and has not moved to the public rollout stage.
“There is no progress on tolling yet. The matter is still receiving internal process approvals first. An update will be provided to the public in time,” said RFA chief executive officer Ali Ipinge in response to an inquiry by the Windhoek Observer.
The toll gate proposal was first introduced in 2021 and aimed to install tolls at 21 to 23 points across the country.
Feasibility studies estimated the project could generate between N$500 million and N$750 million annually.
This was meant to address a funding gap caused by declining fuel levy income due to more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles.
In 2022, Ipinge stated that the Road Fund Administration (RFA) aimed to collect up to N$750 million per year from the toll system across approximately 23 road sections.
Despite the projected revenue, the proposal has faced opposition.
Transport unions, including the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (Natau), along with taxi and bus associations, have rejected the idea.
Union leaders also warned that drivers may avoid tolled routes, which could lead to congestion on alternative roads.
The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) called the tolls a “hidden tax” that would impact poor and rural communities.
Other opposition parties have also called for transparency and more public consultation.
Economists and transport analysts have questioned whether the toll project makes financial sense, citing the high upfront and operational costs of building and managing the system.
The RFA has acknowledged the concerns but stressed the urgent need for sustainable road funding.
“Our current road user charges cover only about 60% of the funding required for road maintenance and expansion in the medium to long term,” Ipinge said.
Public consultations on the toll gate proposal were suspended in 2023 due to economic challenges, including inflation and high interest rates. The project has been on hold since then.
While the proposal remains under review, reports indicate that the RFA is considering other options such as public-private partnerships and adjustments to existing road user fees to fill the funding gap.
Ipinge said the proposal is in line with similar tolling systems in other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, including Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Angola, and Mozambique.
According to the RFA, the country’s growing vehicle population, now over 400 000, supports the feasibility of such a system.
However, due to public opposition, inflation, and ongoing economic pressure, the toll plan has been moving at a snail’s pace.
In July last year, the RFA called on policymakers to consider implementing a toll system. A few months later, the National Council Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure, and Housing backed the proposal. Despite this, no further information has come to light on whether the proposal will proceed.
