Namibia has reached its highest position to date in the Fraser Institute’s Annual Survey of Mining Companies, ranking 30th globally in the 2024 report released in July 2025.
This represents a steady rise over the past three years, improving from 42nd in 2023 to 38th in 2022 and 59th in 2021.
The Investment Attractiveness Index (IAI), used in the survey, measures both geological potential and the impact of government policy on investment decisions. Namibia’s rise signals improved investor sentiment and greater confidence in the country’s mining framework.
In Africa, Namibia is now ranked among the top three mining destinations, following Morocco and Botswana. This regional position places Namibia ahead of jurisdictions such as South Africa, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Namibia’s performance in the survey has shown consistent improvement.
In 2021, it ranked 59th out of 84 jurisdictions. In 2022, it moved up to 38th out of 62.
Though it slipped slightly to 42nd out of 86 in 2023, the latest 2024 results reflect a renewed positive outlook.
In its commentary on the 2023 results, the Fraser Institute noted that the three-point drop was linked to growing investor concern regarding land access, uncertainty related to environmental regulations, and delays in permitting, particularly in areas close to protected zones or those under consideration for conservation.
While Namibia remained one of Africa’s most attractive mining destinations, some respondents reported increased policy uncertainty, impacting Namibia’s Policy Perception Index (PPI) score.
Key factors cited in the survey contributing to Namibia’s improved standing include political stability, quality of geological database, regulatory certainty, and a fair taxation regime.
Respondents also noted a decrease in concerns over trade barriers and access to infrastructure.
The Fraser Institute’s survey is based on responses from mining and exploration companies operating in jurisdictions worldwide.
The 2024 edition ranked Finland, Nevada, and Alaska as the top three globally.
Namibia’s continued improvement comes at a time when the country is experiencing a rise in exploration activity, particularly in uranium and battery minerals.
While the Fraser survey does not evaluate national development plans, investor feedback in recent years has increasingly recognised Namibia’s stable policy environment and mineral potential.
