Infamous for its deadly potholes and crumbling surface, the Francistown–Nata road which for years claimed lives and damaged vehicles is undergoing a major facelift, with reconstruction works now reported to be on track.
The first 30km section, from Francistown to Mathangwane, is being rebuilt as a dual carriage way while the remaining 170km will be reconstructed as a single carriage way. For years, the Francistown–Nata road was regarded as one of the country’s most dangerous routes, its pothole-riddled surface earning its reputation as a death trap.
Project Engineer under the Okavango Africa Consortium mandated with the project, Kganetso Saubi confirmed that the project which cost just about P4 billion covers 200km of the A3 highway, including the construction of new bridges across the Tati and Shashe rivers, as well as access roads along the villages.
Saubi further confirmed to Mmegi Online that the overall progress stands at 26%, slightly below the planned 30%, with delays attributed to heavy rains between December 2024 and February 2025, land expropriation issues, and challenges in sourcing construction materials.
“To recover the lost time, the contractor will increase resources and extend working hours, including weekends and public holidays,” Saubi noted.
Authorities say the current reconstruction will bring the highway up to modern safety standards, reducing accidents and improving travel between Botswana’s northern districts.
