Namibia’s new economic hub officially launched

The Hotel Safari in Windhoek was the place to be when investors were wined and dined at the official launch of the Sungate project in Namibia recently. With key players in the market invited to attend, the three mandated agents present had their hands full as the much-anticipated project was officially introduced. The brainchild of South African-based Accolade Properties, the 408-hectare mixed-use property development – Sungate – is strategically located at Namibia’s Hosea Kutako Airport along the Trans- Kalahari highway. “We have seen much interest in the project already and even before the launch the key property industry players had been in touch,” said Peter Collins, director marketing of Accolade Properties Namibia. “Already we have signed agreements with a multinational mail and logistics distributor, a filling station with trucking facilities, local logistics players and warehouse operators. We are also finalising a contract with a major hotel operator which was shortlisted from the initial six. We are very impressed with the interest shown in the project.” With a 150% increase in traffic on the Trans-Kalahari Highway year on year for the past four years and the development of the Walvis Bay harbour, the need for an economic hub around the airport was much needed, said Collins. “And this can be seen in the amount of interest generated in just this first phase. The petro port has already been sold to an international investor with a local partner. In December 2008 we put our construction boards up and from just that we received a pleasant response.” With Accolade Properties providing the bulk infrastructure in the form of roads, sewage and power, buyers will find themselves having to adhere to strict controls and guidelines when building. “We are aiming at creating a regional trade and logistics hub for sub-Saharan Africa. The project should reach completion in January 2011.”