The Roads Authority (RA) this week announced the appointment of Mbahupu Hippy Tjivikua as its new chief executive officer to replace Conrad Lutombi, who has served exemplary in the position since he was first appointed in 2013.
Tjivikua’s appointment is effective 1 January 2026 and was announced on Wednesday by the RA’s Board of Directors via a media statement. He had previously served at the helm of TransNamib and the Walvis Bay Corridor Group.
The RA is mandated to manage the national road network to ensure it is safe and efficient. This includes planning, design, construction, and maintenance of all national roads, as well as managing road user charging systems and providing crucial information on the road network.
The RA also oversees quality control for materials and contracted work, prevents excessive road damage, and performs functions related to traffic and transport as assigned by the Minister of Works and Transport.
“Mr Tjivikua brings with him extensive leadership experience and a strong background in public management and the transportation sector. The board is confident that his expertise and strategic vision will further strengthen the RA’s capacity to deliver on its mandate to develop and maintain a world-class national road network,” read the statement from RA Board chairperson, Martins Kambulu.
Tjivikua’s appointment includes a one-month transition period, from 1 December 2025, to ensure a smooth handover process before Lutombi retires from the RA on 31 December 2025.
“On behalf of the Board and the entire RA, we express our sincere appreciation to Dr Lutombi for his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the organisation and the entire Namibia during his tenure. His leadership has played a crucial role in advancing Namibia’s road infrastructure development agenda, and the RA wishes him every success in his future endeavours,” the RA stated.
During Lutombi’s tenure, the RA achieved numerous notable milestones, resulting in Namibia consistently being ranked as having the best road network in Africa, a title the country has held multiple times, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Lutombi also spearheaded the development and partial opening of major dual
carriageways such as the road connecting Windhoek to the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) and the double lane highway from Windhoek to Okahandja, to mention a few.
Lutombi also oversaw numerous national projects, such as the development of the dual carriageway from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay, as well as the upgrading of the Trans-Kalahari Highway to provide a fast and efficient road link between the port of Walvis Bay and landlocked neighbouring countries, thereby supporting regional trade and economic growth.
-ebrandt@nepc.com.na