Groot Property Group (Pty) Ltd plans to develop Groot International Airport near Etosha in Namibia in a bid to increase the number of visitors to the region and boost the country's economic growth. At present Namibia only has one international airport, Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek.

A feasibility study has begun for the airport, with its construction budget estimated at approximately US$20bn, and a six-year construction period. Based on equity and debt financing, the structure for the project will likely be provided by the company's financing partners. The company has planned to enlist the services of London-based architect firm Foster and Partners, which was involved in the design of Hong Kong International Airport, for the construction of the airport.

Groot International Airport will expect to handle direct flights from the US via Senegal, Europe and Asia. "My hope is that Air Namibia also makes Groot International Airport its hub, said Chief Economist and VP Development Operations of Groot Property group (Pty) Ltd Simon Kapenda.

The property group is also in the process of developing Groot, an industrial hub in Namibia with over 60 projects including a town centre, a steel mill plant, a gas-fired power plant and engineering college. The goal is to create 500 000 direct and indirect job opportunities in Namibia within three years.

Read more