WINDHOEK
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on Namibia’s mining industry to move beyond discussions and accelerate the delivery of jobs, investment and value addition through stronger cooperation between government and the private sector.
Speaking at the opening of the 13th Chamber of Mines Mining Expo and Conference in Windhoek, Nandi-Ndaitwah described the event as an important platform for engaging stakeholders, showcasing investment opportunities and strengthening collaboration across the sector.
The three-day conference, held from Aug. 4 to Aug. 6, brought together government officials, industry leaders, investors and exhibitors to discuss the future of Namibia’s mining industry.
Following the opening ceremony, the president toured the exhibition and visited exhibitors’ stands to learn more about developments and opportunities in the sector.
Addressing delegates, Nandi-Ndaitwah said mining remains a cornerstone of Namibia’s economy and will play a central role in the Eighth Administration’s goal of creating 500,000 jobs under the Sixth National Development Plan.
She said the sector had demonstrated resilience despite global economic uncertainty, contributing 14% to Namibia’s gross domestic product in 2025 and generating N$7.8 billion ($482 million) in tax revenue, a 37% increase from the previous year.
The president also pointed to growing investor confidence, reflected in the record 222 exhibitors participating in this year’s expo, representing local, regional and international companies.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the mining industry had committed, through the Namibia Public-Private Forum, to create more than 18,000 direct jobs and facilitate $2.865 billion in new investments. She urged companies to ensure those commitments translate into tangible outcomes that benefit the broader economy.
She welcomed progress on major uranium developments, including Bannerman Energy’s Etango project and Deep Yellow’s Tumas project, while calling on the industry to intensify efforts in local beneficiation, value addition and sustainable employment creation.
The president also highlighted the importance of occupational health and safety in the mining sector. She called for the swift finalization of the Occupational Health and Safety Bill, the establishment of occupational health centers across the country and improved medical support for retired mine workers.
Nandi-Ndaitwah encouraged mining companies to invest in employee empowerment by equipping long-serving workers with skills, capital and opportunities to diversify into other sectors of the economy.
Reaffirming Namibia’s position as one of the world’s leading uranium producers, the president said the country’s mineral wealth must increasingly drive industrialization and long-term socio-economic development.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining a stable, transparent and competitive investment environment while strengthening partnerships that deliver lasting benefits for all Namibians.
Economic Backdrop
Namibia, on Africa’s southwest coast, covers 825,229 square kilometers and is the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa. Home to just over 3.1 million people, it is also among the world’s least densely populated nations.
The country is a diverse, multi-ethnic society with at least 11 ethnic groups. Since gaining independence in 1990, Namibia has built strong democratic institutions and expanded access to infrastructure, education and health services.
Those gains helped Namibia attain upper-middle-income status in the late 2000s, although the country was reclassified as a lower-middle-income economy in 2025 following a decline in gross national income per capita.
Despite its progress, Namibia remains one of the world’s most unequal countries. The legacies of colonialism and apartheid continue to shape disparities in income, land ownership and access to economic opportunities. Poverty and unemployment remain high, while climate change poses additional challenges to development.
According to the World Bank, Namibia’s economy remains heavily dependent on mining, which is a major source of exports and government revenue. Services, including finance, transport, wholesale and retail trade, account for an increasing share of gross domestic product, while agriculture and tourism remain important sources of employment, particularly in rural areas.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah, who took office in March 2025 as Namibia’s first female head of state following the November 2024 elections, has prioritized fiscal discipline, service delivery, job creation and economic transformation under the Sixth National Development Plan, launched in July 2025.
