Linking Namibia’s commuters
PULL QUOTE: Haikali Ndatulumukwa, founder, City-Link Namibia; “We can see where and when passenger volumes will spike ...”
Haikali Ndatulumukwa founded City-Link Namibia last year, with the company’s first public passenger fleet expected to launch within the next two months.
City-Link Namibia is a 100% locally owned passenger transport company aiming to provide safe, reliable and comfortable intercity travel across major towns in the country through the use of luxury coaches.
The company will operate a modern fleet of luxury sleeper buses equipped with amenities such as onboard Wi-Fi, toilets, charging facilities and other comfort-focused features, designed to make long-distance travel both safe and pleasant. Initial routes include popular connections such as Oshakati to Windhoek, with structured boarding times and clear fare options.
According to Ndatulumukwa, City-Link emphasises safety, punctuality, broad route coverage and customer service, positioning itself as a trusted travel partner for both business and leisure passengers.
The company currently employs 13 people, a figure expected to rise as operations expand. Its initial fleet consists of three 55-seater luxury coaches.
“For the rest of the year, City-Link is well positioned for steady growth as demand for reliable intercity travel continues to rise in Namibia,” Ndatulumukwa says.
“With our digital booking system (https://citylink.com.na), we can forecast passenger demand and plan capacity in advance, adding extra trips or standby buses during holidays, school breaks and other high-traffic periods. We are focused on expanding our route network while maintaining comfort, safety and punctuality, which sets us apart from informal operators.
"While challenges such as fuel prices and fleet maintenance remain, strong operational planning and data-driven scheduling give us confidence in a positive trajectory for City-Link through the rest of the year,” he adds.
Commenting on the Ministry of Works and Transport’s recent stance that foreign-registered carriers may not transport passengers in Namibia without valid cross-border permits, Ndatulumukwa said: “If foreign carriers want to operate on local routes, they must comply with the same legal requirements as Namibian carriers. This protects local jobs and investment without blocking fair competition when done properly. The intent behind permit requirements is not to prevent competition, but to ensure regulatory compliance, safety and a level playing field for all operators.”
He said that at City-Link, their digital booking system allows themto forecast demand accurately instead of reacting too late.
"This means we can anticipate where and when passenger volumes will spike and plan extra trips, add standby buses or adjust schedules accordingly. During holidays and peak travel periods, we use this data to deploy additional buses on high-demand routes, run early-morning and night services, and provide seasonal charter services for schools, companies or government events. By planning rather than reacting, we can significantly reduce the transport shortages that typically occur each year,” he says.
