The Road Fund Administration (RFA) has increased its annual revenue collection from approximately N$1.76 billion in 2014 to more than N$4.7 billion, while expanding funding for road maintenance, rehabilitation and infrastructure development across Namibia.
In an exclusive interview with New Era, RFA Chief Executive Officer Ali Ipinge said the institution had strengthened its financial position, modernised its operations and increased support for national and urban road infrastructure, although funding requirements continue to exceed available resources.
Ipinge said the RFA had invested N$3.5 billion towards preserving and improving Namibia’s road network in the 2025/26 financial year alone, while the infrastructure funding gap had narrowed from N$3.6 billion to N$2.3 billion.
“When I joined the RFA in November 2014, the RFA collected approximately N$1.76 billion in revenue annually and disbursed N$1.53 billion to the Roads Authority to support a national road network of about 44,900 kilometres,” he said.
“Today, the RFA collects more than N$4.7 billion in Road User Charges annually, has grown net revenue to over N$4 billion, and invested N$3.5 billion towards preserving Namibia’s road network.”
He added that funding to local authorities had increased from N$65 million to N$800 million, while allocations to the Roads Authority had grown to nearly N$2.9 billion.
An additional N$1.5 billion has been earmarked for key national priority road projects.
“These figures reflect what I consider good achievement: transforming the RFA into a stronger, more resilient and financially sustainable institution capable of supporting the country’s growing infrastructure needs,” Ipinge said.
Road investment and infrastructure priorities
The RFA is funding road maintenance, rehabilitation and upgrading projects across the country, including the Rundu-Divundu Road rehabilitation project, the Etosha National Park road upgrade programme and the expansion and widening of Auas, Winnie Mandela and Peter Nanyemba roads in Windhoek.
Other projects include urban road rehabilitation in Walvis Bay, Tsumeb, Keetmanshoop, Katima Mulilo, Rundu, Nkurenkuru and Otjiwarongo.
Ipinge said the investments were intended to improve road safety, reduce vehicle operating costs, strengthen tourism and regional trade, and improve access to essential services and economic opportunities.
“They also play an important role in enhancing urban mobility, connecting communities and supporting Namibia’s ambition to become a regional logistics and transport hub,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that demand for road maintenance continues to outstrip available funding.
“The reality is that funding requirements continue to exceed available resources,” Ipinge said.
He explained that the RFA prioritises projects according to their economic impact, road conditions, safety considerations and long-term value for money.
“At the same time, we pursue measures to strengthen revenue growth and improve the sustainability of the Road User Charging System.
Our focus is on ensuring that every dollar collected delivers the greatest possible benefit to road users and the country as a whole,” he said. Ipinge said the administration’s strategic goal was to reduce the infrastructure funding gap over time while increasing the proportion of funding requests it could support.
Partnerships have also become central to financing major road projects.
The RFA has partnered with private and development finance institutions to fund key national priority road projects under Phase I, using ring-fenced fuel levy income.
“Of recent, RFA through ring-fenced fuel levy income, has partnered up with private and development finance institutions to fund much needed national priority roads projects (phase I) to the tune of N$1.5 billion,” Ipinge said.
“This blended funding and partnership will enable the fast-tracking and timely implementation of these key roads infrastructure projects country-wide.”
He said cooperation between government, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Roads Authority, the Roads Construction Company, local authorities, industry stakeholders and road users was essential to sustaining a road network of almost 50 000 kilometres. “No single institution can fund, build, maintain and preserve a road network of almost 50 000 kilometres on its own,” he said.
“Ultimately, sustainable road infrastructure is not the responsibility of one organisation; it is a shared national effort that requires trust, partnership and a common vision for Namibia’s future.”
Digital transformation and road safety
Beyond infrastructure funding, the RFA has introduced technology-driven systems to improve efficiency, service delivery and revenue assurance.
Ipinge said the institution had implemented an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform, introduced the RFA Mobile App, established online payment services and customer self-service platforms, and advanced automation of the Mass Distance Charge system.
These initiatives have reduced manual processes, improved access to services and strengthened data-driven decision-making. The organisation has also reduced paper consumption by 60% through digitalisation and electronic records management.
“The RFA has transformed from a largely traditional organisation into a more modern, technology-driven institution,” Ipinge said.
He added that the institution had introduced an Urban Roads Management System to improve planning, funding prioritisation and the management of urban road infrastructure. The RFA has also partnered with the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) to support research and innovation, including research into distance-based road charging models to prepare Namibia for future road funding needs. Road safety remains another important part of the administration’s mandate.
Ipinge said the RFA supported safer travelling conditions through road maintenance and rehabilitation funding, while also financing traffic law enforcement agencies with vehicles, equipment and operational support.
In the 2025/26 financial year, the institution allocated more than N$55 million towards traffic law enforcement initiatives.
“We also support road-safety awareness campaigns and other initiatives aimed at promoting responsible road-user behaviour,” he said.
“Ultimately, safer roads require a combination of quality infrastructure, effective enforcement and public awareness, and the RFA is committed to supporting all three.”
Leadership, accountability and future funding
Ipinge said integrity, accountability, service excellence, innovation and respect for people had guided his leadership at the RFA.
These principles are reflected in the organisation’s SHINE culture, which stands for Service Excellence, Honour, Integrity, Innovation and Empowerment.
He said the RFA had strengthened governance, expanded stakeholder partnerships and maintained sound financial stewardship, reflected in 14 consecutive unqualified audit opinions.
“Over the past 13 years, we have strengthened revenue collection, modernised systems, enhanced governance, expanded stakeholder partnerships and improved the organisation’s ability to translate road-user contributions into tangible infrastructure outcomes,” Ipinge said.
He added that the institution had continued increasing funding for road maintenance and rehabilitation despite economic downturns, inflationary pressures, rising maintenance costs and recent fuel levy reductions.
Looking ahead, the RFA’s priorities include strengthening the sustainability of road infrastructure funding, reducing the funding gap, embracing digital transformation and supporting Namibia’s broader economic development agenda.
Ipinge said the institution also needed to prepare for emerging trends, including new vehicle technologies, climate resilience and changing road-user behaviour.
“I would like to see the RFA recognised as a leading road fund institution not just in Africa but globally, supported by an innovative and sustainable funding model that enables the preservation of Namibia’s road network for future generations,” he said. He called on road users, taxpayers and stakeholders to continue supporting the RFA’s mission, stressing that road infrastructure benefits individuals, businesses and communities alike.
“Every road user has a stake in the future of Namibia’s road network. Roads connect people to opportunities, businesses to markets and communities to essential services,” Ipinge said.
“The Road User Charging System ensures that those who benefit from the network contribute towards its upkeep, helping to preserve this valuable national asset.”
He added: “Together, we can ensure that future generations inherit a road network that remains one of Namibia’s most important strategic assets.”
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