Namibia’s mining industry has called for faster implementation of reforms needed to unlock billions of dollars in investment, saying the country has reached a point where dialogue must give way to delivery if the sector is to realise its full economic potential.
Delivering the opening address at the official opening of the 13th Chamber of Mines of Namibia Mining Expo and Conference in Windhoek on Wednesday, Chamber president George Botshiwe said this year’s theme, “From Dialogue to Delivery: Assessing Progress in Creating Mining-led Economic Growth and Employment Opportunities since Namibia’s Public-Private Forum,” reflects the industry’s determination to measure tangible progress made since commitments were announced through the Namibia Public-Private Forum (NamPPF).
“Over the past year, the Namibian government and the private sector, led by Her Excellency, engaged extensively through the Namibia Public-Private Forum to identify practical interventions needed to unlock economic growth, investment and create employment. The mining industry has been an active contributor to the process, highlighting the considerable tangible investment and employment opportunities that lie within Namibia’s mining pipeline,” Botshiwe said.
He said the conference provides an opportunity to evaluate progress made over the past year and identify the remaining obstacles preventing mining projects from entering construction and production.
“This conference provides an important opportunity not to simply revisit the discussions of the Namibia Public-Private Forum, but to honestly assess where progress has been made, where challenges remain and how government, industry and other stakeholders can work together to accelerate implementation,” he said.
Botshiwe said unlocking the sector’s investment pipeline would require continued collaboration between government and industry, particularly to address infrastructure constraints and provide greater regulatory certainty.
“Translating this potential into reality will require continued efforts to remove obstacles that we have identified. These could be technical, such as water supply, or regulatory, including providing certainty around pending legislation, particularly the Minerals Bill,” he said.
The Chamber president also highlighted the growing scale of the Mining Expo itself, describing this year’s event as the largest since its inception in 2010.
He said the Expo attracted a record 204 exhibitors, reflecting growing confidence in Namibia’s mining sector and reinforcing the country’s position as one of Africa’s leading mining investment destinations.
Botshiwe said the Chamber deliberately continues to offer free public access to the exhibition because the country’s mineral resources belong to all Namibians and the industry should remain accessible to students, entrepreneurs, job seekers and members of the public interested in understanding mining.
He added that the Chamber also provides complimentary exhibition space to key public institutions and industry organisations, including the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, the Namibia University of Science and Technology, the University of Namibia, the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology, the Mineworkers Union of Namibia, the Emerging Miners Association of Namibia and the Namibian Uranium Association, strengthening collaboration across the sector.
Botshiwe said mining’s contribution to Namibia extends far beyond production figures and tax payments, arguing that the industry’s broader economic impact is reflected through local procurement, enterprise development, infrastructure investment, skills development and community programmes.
He said Chamber member companies have collectively invested almost N$2 billion in corporate social investment projects since 2013, supporting education, healthcare, community infrastructure and other development initiatives across the country.
In addition, he said the industry invested approximately N$1.8 billion in education and skills development between 2011 and 2025, including the awarding of 568 bursaries, apprenticeship programmes, internships and technical training designed to build the next generation of Namibian mining professionals.
“These investments demonstrate that the mining sector’s contribution cannot be measured solely in terms of production, exports or tax revenue. It is equally reflected in the opportunities created for individuals, small businesses, local procurement, skills transfer and long-term partnerships that continue to strengthen our communities,” Botshiwe said.
He said mining companies continue to invest in strategic infrastructure, including water, energy and transport systems, which benefit both mining operations and surrounding communities while supporting future economic development.
Botshiwe also highlighted the successful introduction of the Chamber’s inaugural Health and Safety Conference, saying the event demonstrates the industry’s commitment to ensuring that growth is accompanied by continuous improvements in worker health, safety and wellbeing.
He said the conference would also receive progress reports from mining companies on commitments made through the Namibia Public-Private Forum, allowing delegates to assess how projects are advancing and where further intervention is required.
Botshiwe expressed confidence that Namibia’s mining industry remains well-positioned for continued expansion, but stressed that maintaining momentum will depend on effective collaboration between government and the private sector to remove the remaining barriers to investment.
“Our objective is clear: to ensure that the commitments made through the Namibia Public-Private Forum translate into real projects, real investment, sustainable employment and lasting economic growth for the benefit of all Namibians,” he said.
