The newly inaugurated Ankit Gems Namibia Diamond Cutting and Polishing Factory in Windhoek employs 148 Namibians.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s speech at the inauguration on 7 November 2025 was delivered on her behalf by Interim Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Frans Kapofi, who described the investment as a testament to Namibia’s growing reputation as a secure and attractive destination for mineral-sector investment.
The President hailed the factory as “a multi-million-dollar, state-of-the-art infrastructure that symbolises the culmination of an economic partnership between Namibia and India.”
She said Ankit Gems Namibia’s decision to establish its operations locally reflected investor confidence in Namibia’s economy and reaffirmed the government’s policy of promoting local value addition in the mining sector.
“This development positions Namibia not only as a preferred investment destination but also as a nation committed to the prosperity of its people,” she said.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah noted that Namibia remains one of the world’s leading producers of high-quality natural diamonds, which contribute significantly to the country’s gross domestic product, foreign exchange earnings, and employment.
However, she cautioned that the rise of synthetic diamonds on global markets was threatening to erode the value of natural gems.
“It is critical that we enhance our value chain and differentiate our diamonds through superior craftsmanship and ethical sourcing,” her statement read.
She said the Ankit Gems Namibia factory aligns with the national development agenda set out in the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) and Vision 2030, both of which prioritise industrialisation, technology transfer and job creation.
“This plant will strengthen our manufacturing base and create employment opportunities for Namibians, particularly the youth. By adding value locally, the factory transfers critical skills, fosters technological advancement and builds a more resilient economy,” she said.
The President highlighted that most of the factory’s 148 workers are Namibians trained to use advanced cutting and polishing technology capable of producing world-class diamonds for export.
The facility integrates digital sales platforms and exports finished stones to markets in the European Union, Asia, and the United States.
She said the investment directly supports the government’s efforts to reduce youth unemployment and deepen local participation in the diamond industry, which rough exports have traditionally dominated.
The President further underscored Namibia’s strong bilateral relations with India, describing the factory as a product of growing cooperation between the two countries.
“In July this year, we were honoured to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where we engaged in fruitful discussions on investing in our natural resources. Today’s inauguration is the result of that collaboration, and I encourage other investors to follow Ankit Gems’ example and seize the opportunities Namibia offers,” she said.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed appreciation to Ankit Gems’ leadership and employees for their dedication and partnership, noting that their commitment contributes to Namibia’s broader industrialisation goals under the Green Industrialisation Blueprint (2024–2040).
“Your passion and dedication to the realisation of this project serve as a powerful motivation to our national development and shared prosperity,” she said in closing.
The Ankit Gems Namibia facility becomes one of the country’s most significant diamond cutting and polishing plants. It is expected to strengthen Namibia’s presence in the global diamond value chain and reinforce the country’s reputation as a reliable source of ethically mined and locally polished diamonds.
