President Hage Geingob told the EU–Namibia Business Forum in Brussels that his government will no longer export raw minerals.
Geingob said Namibia’s economy is intricately linked to extracting and processing minerals for export, contributing significantly to our GDP and foreign exchange earnings.
“However, we are no longer going to export raw minerals,” he said, adding that Namibia and European partners are dedicated to improving the sustainability of the extractive industry and developing local processing, refining, recovery, and recycling capacity in Namibia.
Geingob said securing access to critical resources is an economic endeavour and a strategic security imperative for the world’s aspirations in delivering on green and clean energy objectives.
“In the development of this new industry, the Namibian Government is committed to a transparent shared partnership. Namibia is committed to a partnership with businesses anchored in the rule of law and our practice of Effective Governance, buttressed by robust processes, systems and institutions,” he said.
According to Geingob, this approach can underpin sustainable, clean, and inclusive economic growth, fostering domestic resource mobilisation, economic diversification, and deeper linkages to the broader economy.
He added that the collaboration with the EU is aligned with our National Development Plans, including Vision 2030, the National Industrial Policy, the Growth at Home Strategy, the SADC Protocol on Industry, and the Mineral Beneficiation Strategy for Namibia.
Andrada Mining is looking to exploit lithium deposits and associated minerals that could be more than 138 million tonnes.
Geingob also said another company, Broadmind Mining, has a maiden inferred resource of 570 million tonnes of light rare earths.
“These materials are essential for achieving our green and clean energy objectives and are in high demand across other industrial sectors, from aerospace to electronics and health,” Geingob said.
Geingob is in Brussels at the invitation of the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Von der Leyen invited Geingob to deliver a statement on green energy transition and green hydrogen at the inaugural EU-Namibia Green Hydrogen and Critical Raw Materials Forum.
The forum will focus on the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and its role in promoting global investment in infrastructure, centred around its priority themes – digital, energy and climate, transport, health and education and research.
