Notorious A3 road’s 20-km of hope
Innocent Selatlhwa | Monday July 27, 2026 06:00
The newly opened stretch of the A3 is offering motorists something they have not felt in a long time, hope.For decades, the Francistown-Nata road has been known less for the journeys it carried than for the lives it claimed.
Hardly a few months would pass without reports of another fatal accident, another family plunged into mourning and another public outcry over one of Botswana's busiest highways. Every long weekend brought fresh warnings from police and fresh fears among families travelling north.
The road became synonymous with danger. Narrow carriageways, an ageing surface, potholes and increasing traffic turned every trip into an anxious journey. Last week Thursday, however, the mood was different.
Minutes after Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Noah Salakae officially declared open the first completed 20-kilometre section of the reconstructed A3, the first vehicles cautiously rolled onto the fresh black asphalt. Some drivers slowed down to admire the smooth road before continuing with their journeys.
Others smiled, waved and sounded their horns as they became the first ordinary motorists to use what many hope marks the beginning of a safer era. For many, it was not simply another road opening. It was 20 kilometres of hope. For years, motorists, long-distance bus operators, truck drivers and families travelling between the north and south have pleaded for the reconstruction of the A3.
The highway is one of Botswana's busiest transport corridors, linking Francistown with Nata while serving as an important gateway to the country's tourism destinations and neighbouring countries. Its poor condition has long attracted criticism from motorists, transport operators and politicians alike. The opening of the first completed section, therefore, represented visible progress on a project that many had almost given up on.
Speaking during the official opening ceremony, Salakae described the reconstruction as a major milestone in the government's efforts to modernise Botswana's road infrastructure and improve road safety. He commended the Okavango Africa Consortium (OAC), which was awarded the P4 billion contract under the Development Manager Model. The A3 is one of only three projects that survived after the government suspended the procurement model.
Salakae expressed satisfaction with the quality of work completed so far, saying the reconstructed road would outperform the one it replaces, which was constructed in 1974.
'I have been reliably informed that this quality road would be even better than the one it is replacing, which was built in 1974. We therefore commend the contractors for the good workmanship they have done thus far,' he said.
The minister said the reconstruction forms part of the government's broader commitment to providing safer and more efficient transport infrastructure that supports economic growth. He said improved roads reduce travelling time, lower vehicle operating costs and improve safety for both people and goods. Salakae also acknowledged the patience shown by motorists and communities who have endured months of roadworks, diversions and delays while waiting for the project to take shape. For residents of Francistown and surrounding areas, the opening carried emotional significance.
Over the years, many families have lost relatives on the A3. Some still remember horrific crashes involving buses, haulage trucks and private vehicles that claimed dozens of lives and left many others seriously injured. While the new road cannot erase those painful memories, many hope it will help prevent new ones.
Addressing the gathering, Francistown Mayor Gaone Majere described the opening as timely, especially as the country heads into the holiday season when traffic volumes increase significantly.
'This road has come at the right time as we head into the holidays. This is a very busy and important road on which, unfortunately, we have lost lives due to congestion and it being in a bad state. The newly opened section will reduce such incidents, hence I am happy to be part of this moment,' he said.
Majere said the improved road would strengthen economic activity while making travel safer for residents, businesses and visitors travelling through the city. He also applauded the Batswana-owned Okavango Africa Consortium for the quality of workmanship displayed so far.
'We usually doubt our own. I am, however, impressed with OAC and I believe they will continue doing good for the country,' he said. Speaking on behalf of the contractor, Okavango Africa Consortium's Moemedi Gabana described the opening as a historic milestone.
'For the first time in 52 years, a new road is to be driven on,' he said. Gabana said although much work still lay ahead, opening completed sections to traffic would allow motorists to begin enjoying the benefits of the project while construction continued.
'We are here because we are achieving a huge strategic milestone. For the first time in 52 years, a new road is to be driven on. We still have a lot of work to do, but we saw it fit that whatever section is completed, we will be offloading traffic to the new road,' he said.
He thanked government, engineers, contractors and surrounding communities for their cooperation throughout construction, saying the project had faced numerous challenges, including heavy rains, but the teams remained committed to delivering quality work.
As the speeches ended and the ribbon was cut, attention quickly shifted from the podium to the road itself. Traffic police signalled the first vehicles to proceed. Smiling as he eased his combi onto the new carriageway, Francistown-Marapong driver Tinaye Amos Justice became the first ordinary motorist to use the newly opened road.
'The opening of this section brings a lot of joy to us. We have struggled for a long time. Our cars were battered by the road. We are really grateful as we have long been waiting,' he said before driving off.
Some passengers took photographs through open windows. Others simply looked ahead at the smooth ribbon of black tarmac stretching into the distance.
Truck drivers, who spend countless hours on Botswana's highways, also welcomed the development. Several told Mmegi that while only a small section had been completed, the difference was immediately noticeable. They expressed hope that the remaining sections would be completed as quickly as possible.
Long-distance motorists echoed similar sentiments, saying they had become accustomed to slowing down for damaged sections of road and negotiating dangerous overtaking manoeuvres caused by the narrow carriageway.
They believe the completed sections will significantly improve comfort and safety once the entire project is finished.