Namibia wants to increase the share of processed mineral exports from 46.6% to 57% by 2030 as the country pushes to move beyond raw mineral exports and position itself as a critical minerals processing, industrial and logistics hub for Europe’s energy transition and future supply chains, Mines and Energy Minister Modestus Amutse said on Wednesday.
Speaking during the Critical Raw Materials Industry Session at the second EU-Namibia Business Forum in Windhoek, which brought together more than 300 participants from government, finance, business and industry, Amutse said Namibia’s ambitions in the critical raw materials sector are “practical, measurable, and forward-looking” and centred around beneficiation, industrialisation and integration into global value chains.
According to the minister, Namibia’s first objective is to accelerate beneficiation and local value addition through greater domestic refining, upgrading, and mineral transformation, rather than continuing to export largely unprocessed resources.
“This means more refining, upgrading, and transformation taking place domestically,” Amutse said.
He said Namibia is simultaneously targeting long-term strategic investment, with the government aiming to increase foreign direct investment stock from N$207 billion to N$254 billion by 2030 through a stable and predictable investment climate.
Amutse said Namibia also wants deeper integration into European and global supply chains for batteries, renewable energy technologies, advanced manufacturing, and nuclear fuel markets, as demand for critical minerals accelerates globally.
The minister said another major priority is stronger skills and technology transfer so that Namibia’s mineral wealth contributes to the development of local expertise in engineering, metallurgy, environmental management and digital mining systems.
He further stressed that Namibia’s mining growth strategy must remain inclusive, benefitting communities, youth, women, and local enterprises while protecting the environment and supporting future generations.
Amutse said critical raw materials now sit at the centre of global industrial transformation as clean energy systems, electric mobility, digital technologies and advanced manufacturing drive unprecedented demand for minerals such as lithium, graphite, rare earth elements, copper, manganese, cobalt and uranium.
“These resources are no longer viewed simply as commodities. They have become strategic assets linked to economic security, industrial competitiveness, and energy resilience,” he said.
According to the minister, Europe’s priority is securing diversified and sustainable critical mineral supply chains, while Namibia’s objective is to use its mineral wealth to drive industrialisation, employment creation and long-term economic development.
“For Europe, the priority is secure, diversified, and sustainable supply. For Namibia, the opportunity is to use our mineral wealth to advance industrialisation, employment creation, and long-term development. For both of us, the path forward is partnership,” Amutse said.
He said Namibia is positioning itself as one of Europe’s most reliable partners in critical raw materials because of its mineral resource potential, political stability, legal certainty, strong institutions, and long-established mining sector.
According to the minister, mining contributed 14% to Namibia’s gross domestic product in 2025, accounted for 51.3% of total exports and represented 6.8% of formal employment.
Amutse said Namibia hosts significant deposits of uranium, lithium, graphite, rare-earth elements, copper, manganese, zinc, and other strategic minerals required for modern industry and the global energy transition.
“This diversity of resources gives Namibia a strategic advantage at a time when the world is seeking dependable new supply sources,” he said.
The minister said investor interest in Namibia’s uranium sector has continued growing since the inaugural EU-Namibia Business Forum in 2023, while lithium and graphite projects have advanced alongside expanding exploration activities targeting rare earth elements, copper and other strategic minerals.
He said cooperation between Namibia and the European Union has also deepened through the Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains and Renewable Hydrogen.
Amutse also welcomed Europe’s Critical Raw Materials Act, saying Namibia’s policy priorities are aligned with the European Union’s objective of creating secure, transparent and diversified supply chains outside traditional high-risk jurisdictions.
“This demonstrates clearly that our partnership is moving from dialogue to delivery,” he said.
According to the minister, Namibia is currently developing a National Critical Raw Materials Strategy in cooperation with the European Union, aimed at establishing a national framework covering exploration, mining competitiveness, beneficiation, local processing, skills development, ESG standards and strategic investment attraction.
Amutse stressed that Namibia’s ambitions extend beyond simply supplying minerals to global markets.
“Namibia stands ready to work with Europe not only as a supplier of minerals, but as a processor, industrial partner, and gateway for regional growth,” he said.
The minister linked these ambitions directly to Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan, which identifies industrialisation, value addition, energy security and economic diversification as central pillars of sustainable growth.
He said NDP6 specifically positions critical raw materials and green industrial development as strategic drivers for job creation, technology transfer, export growth, economic resilience, modern infrastructure and stronger participation in regional and global value chains.
“Through this framework, Namibia is positioning its mineral resources not only as a source of revenue, but as a foundation for building competitive industries, modern infrastructure, and greater participation in regional and global value chains,” Amutse said.
The minister also positioned Namibia as strategically important to Europe in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment.
“Europe needs reliable partners in an increasingly uncertain global environment. Namibia offers resource diversity, political stability, strong governance, Atlantic logistics access through Walvis Bay, and world-class renewable energy potential that can power green industrial development,” he said.
Amutse said the global energy transition cannot continue relying on traditional extractive relationships.
“The global energy transition cannot be built on outdated extractive models. It must be built on co-investment, local value creation, technology transfer, sustainability, and shared prosperity,” he said.
He added that the growing global demand for critical raw materials will shape the future of industrial development and international economic power.
“The demand for Critical Raw Materials will define the next era of industrial development. Those who build trusted partnerships today will secure prosperity tomorrow,” Amutse said.
He concluded by inviting Europe to deepen industrial cooperation and long-term investment with Namibia.
“Namibia has the minerals. Namibia has stability. Namibia has ambition. Namibia has the commitment. We therefore invite Europe to invest with Namibia, process with Namibia, innovate with Namibia, and grow with Namibia,” he said.
