The South African Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, says Africa's transport sector needs to redouble its intra-trade efforts to optimise the Trans Kalahari Corridor.

She was speaking at the Trans-Kalahari Corridor ministerial council meeting in Windhoek.

Chikunga revealed that trading among African nations stands at less than 16% in comparison with trading between Africa and the European region, which is over 75%.

The Transport Minister therefore says the sector has the capacity to bring change, especially access to infrastructure, to ensure that intra-regional trade in Africa is efficient, effective, and driven by the competitiveness of industries.

She believes that the Trans Kalahari Corridor will make an immense contribution to unlocking Africa's trading markets and contributing to the Africa Continental Free Trade Area. 

Botswana's Minister of Transport and Public Works, Eric Molale, called for the member states to take care of the TKC infrastructure.

"In the case of the Trans-Kalahari Corridor, a lot of investments have been made. We already have a route, but there is an issue around how we will take care of the road, how we will use it, and how beneficial this route will be to the nationals passing through their settlements."

Namibia's Transport Minister, John Mutorwa, commended the member states for working together to ensure the TKC remains effective.

"I am emphasising all these very important events to underscore the absolute, important, and indispensable role the Trans Kalahari Corridors Secretariat must play to ensure the successful implementation of all programmes and activities by all the countries and private stakeholders who are using and shall continue to use the Trans Kalahari Economic Development Corridor."

The member states of the TKC are Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa.