Kaoko Fria Smart City Project Launched in Namibia

By Staff Reporter

Kaoko Fria Investment (Pty) Ltd has officially launched the Kaoko Fria Smart City and Deep-Sea Port at Cape Fria in the Kunene Region, a US$74 billion megaproject announced by Managing Director Michael Petrus through spokesperson Immanuel Nghifikwa.

The development, which will connect Namibia to global trade routes, was unveiled on Wednesday as a bold initiative to transform the nation’s economy and create thousands of jobs.

The project will include a deep-sea port, a railway network linking Katima Mulilo to Cape Fria, a new international airport, modern highways, mixed-use smart zones, housing, manufacturing hubs, health and education institutions, as well as a FIFA-level stadium.

A dry port in Katima Mulilo is expected to handle up to 700,000 containers annually, positioning Namibia as a regional logistics hub.

In its first phase, the smart city will create over 105,000 jobs, with a long-term projection of 250,000 jobs in 10 years, making it the largest post-independence employment creation initiative. Recruitment for unemployed Namibians is set to begin on 18 August 2025 across all regions.

Rooted in the vision of Founding President Sam Nujoma, the idea of a northern port dates back to the 1980s and was supported by a 2008 government feasibility study. Traditional Authorities, including the Kakurukouje Traditional Authority, have allocated 42,000 hectares of land for the project and endorsed its inclusive development model.

Located within the Skeleton Coast National Park, Kaoko Fria Smart City will incorporate renewable energy systems, water recycling, and green waste management, with the aim of becoming Africa’s greenest port-based smart city.

With confirmed investor interest and international collaboration, including partnerships with China, the project is positioned as a launchpad for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and a model for sustainable economic growth in southern Africa.

In conclusion, the Kaoko Fria Smart City is not just a construction project but a transformative vision to reshape Namibia’s economy, reduce unemployment, and establish the nation as a continental and global gateway. As Petrus put it: “Namibia is ready. Africa is watching. And the world is welcome.”

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