The long-anticipated reconstruction of the A3 road from Francistown to Nata officially commenced on Monday 26th August 2024 with a ground-breaking ceremony in Mathangwane.

The event, attended by high-ranking government officials, contractors, and local communities, marks the beginning of a major infrastructure project that promises to enhance regional connectivity and road safety. President

Mokgweetsi Masisi officiated the ceremony and even tested some of the construction equipment, including a machine that is to be used during the construction.

The project is part of Botswana’s broader efforts to improve national infrastructure, particularly the A3 road, which has been a source of concern for both local and international travellers due to its deteriorating condition and frequent traffic accidents.

The A3 road plays a critical role in the country's economy, connecting key towns and facilitating the movement of goods and services within Botswana and to neighbouring countries, Minister of Transport and Public Works, Eric Molale said.

The reconstruction of the 200-kilometre stretch from Francistown to Nata is being undertaken by the Okavango Africa Consortium, a 100 percent citizen-owned company.

Development Manager for the consortium, Moemedi Gabana, said the project is expected to be completed within 36 months. Although the total value of the project has not been officially disclosed, Gabana mentioned that it is a multi-billion-pula venture. The government is expected to reveal the exact financial details in due course.

The new dual carriageway will stretch 35 kilometres from Francistown to Mathangwane, an upgrade to this critical portion of the A3 highway. After reaching Mathangwane, the road will transition back to a single carriageway leading towards Nata. This upgrade aims to ease traffic flow and improve road safety along one of Botswana’s busiest routes.

“While the dual carriageway addresses the immediate needs of the Francistown to Mathangwane stretch, future developments may consider expanding further, enhancing connectivity for both regional and international travel,” Gabana said.

The A3 road is one of Botswana's most important highways, serving as a key link between the northern parts of the country and major cities like Francistown and Gaborone. Stretching across the eastern side of Botswana, the A3 forms a vital part of the transport corridor that connects the country to Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia, making it essential for cross-border trade and tourism.

Over the years, the road has become notorious for traffic accidents, with both local and international drivers citing poor road conditions as a contributing factor. Historically, the A3 road has been central to Botswana’s transport and trade networks, especially since the early 20th century, when the country began to modernise its infrastructure.

The road initially served as a gravel route, facilitating the movement of people and goods between Gaborone, Francistown, and the northern town of Maun.

“In the 1970s, the government embarked on a road-building campaign, which included the upgrading of the A3 to a tarred highway. However, due to increased traffic volumes and wear over the years, the road has required continuous maintenance and, more recently, full-scale reconstruction,” Molale said.

The decision to upgrade and widen the A3 road comes as part of Botswana’s long-term vision to improve road safety, ease congestion, and bolster its trade routes. The government’s intervention was necessary after a series of deadly accidents drew national attention to the road’s hazards.

While not all accidents can be attributed to the road’s condition, issues such as narrow lanes, sharp bends, and lack of adequate shoulders have been identified as significant risk factors.

During the ground-breaking ceremony, President Masisi acknowledged the significance of the project and the role it will play in improving road safety and facilitating smoother trade. He noted that although driver behaviour also contributes to accidents, the government’s focus is on creating safer roads for everyone.

"Of course, not all of the harrowing accidents that occurred on this road were attributable solely to the state of the road, while discounting the human factor of inappropriate driver behaviour. Nonetheless, the delivery of infrastructure projects, like this one, will produce a positive experience of A3’s roadability," Masisi said.

The A3 reconstruction project is being executed under the Development Manager Model, an innovative approach to infrastructure delivery in Botswana intended to address past challenges in project execution, including delays, cost overruns, and poor quality of work. Under this model, the contractor in this case, the Okavango Africa Consortium, manages the entire project, from design to completion, while assuming both the design and construction risks.

By adopting the Development Manager Model, the government aims to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget, while maintaining high standards of quality. The model has been widely praised as a solution to the numerous implementation challenges that have plagued Botswana’s infrastructure projects in the past.

The reconstruction of the A3 road is expected to bring multiple benefits to Botswana, including improved road safety, reduced travel times, and enhanced regional trade. The project will widen the road, add new safety features, and improve drainage systems, making it more resilient to heavy rains that often damage roads in the region.

In addition to these improvements, the project will also have a significant impact on local communities.

“The construction work is expected to create over 2,000 jobs, providing much-needed employment opportunities in towns and villages along the route,” Gabana said. Local businesses will also benefit from increased demand for goods and services during the construction period.

The road project will also have wider economic implications, particularly in the transport and tourism sectors. The A3 is a crucial route for tourists traveling to Botswana’s world-renowned wildlife destinations, such as the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park. A safer, more reliable road will encourage more tourists to visit these areas, boosting local economies and supporting the growth of the tourism industry.

For the transport sector, the upgraded road will facilitate smoother and faster movement of goods between Botswana and its neighbours. The A3 connects to major regional transport routes, including the Trans-Kalahari Corridor, which links Botswana to Namibia and South Africa.

With improved infrastructure, Botswana will be better positioned to compete in the regional trade market and attract investment in logistics and transport services. Speaking on the broader impact of infrastructure development, President Masisi emphasised that projects like these are not just about physical improvements but are central to Botswana’s economic transformation.

"The reconstruction of the A3 road and the expansion of our junior secondary schools are projects critical in trade facilitation and the development of human capital.

“This is in spite of the fact that the country is currently experiencing multiple challenges, among which is the global economic uncertainty that has negatively impacted the sale of our prime export, diamonds," he remarked.

The ground-breaking of the A3 road project is part of a larger infrastructure development plan that includes other key projects aimed at enhancing Botswana’s road network, education, and housing.

Alongside the A3 reconstruction, the government has announced plans to expand several community junior secondary schools in Mathangwane, Tsamaya, Francistown, and Nkange, as well as the construction of 30 Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) houses in Nata.