Chinese Government provides RMB 447 million grant for 21.3 km Dordabis Interchange-Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) Road Phase 2B Project (Linked to Record ID#60977)

Project narrative

In March 2018, the Chinese Government and the Government of Namibia signed a grant agreement for the 21.3 km Dordabis Interchange-Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) Road Phase 2B Project. China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) reportedly issued an RMB 447,000,000 (NAD 1 billion) grant in support of the project (captured via Record ID#92520). Also in 2018, China Eximbank pledged to provide a loan (captured via Record ID#60977) for this same project but there is no evidence that a loan agreement was ever finalized. The purpose of the project is to upgrade a 21.3 km, two-way, 4-lane dual carriageway expressway — including a 20-meter bridge, 45 culverts and three intersections — from Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) to Dordabis Interchange in Sonnleiten. Zhongmei Engineering Group Ltd. is the contractor responsible for project implementation. VKE Namibia Consulting Engineers is a project consulting firm operating under the supervision of the Roads Authority. The Chinese Government and the Government of Namibia signed a project implementation agreement in March 2020. Then, on November 12, 2021, construction began. A formal project commencement ceremony took place on May 9, 2022. The project’s originally expected completion date was September 2024.