Swakop Uranium’s drive to build resilient Namibian businesses continues to bear fruit, as several local enterprises—including Akulyanga Trading CC, Blueberg Trading Enterprise, and Sanitech—report transformative growth through long-term service contracts with the operator of the Husab Mine.
When Akulyanga Trading CC first secured a catering, cleaning, and camp facilities contract at Husab Village Camp in 2022, few could have foreseen how rapidly the partnership would evolve. Within three years, the once-modest enterprise had grown into a multi-disciplinary company employing more than 200 Namibians, up from just 45.
Swakop Uranium’s confidence in Akulyanga has been key to that transformation. In 2024, the firm was awarded the Heap Leach Manpower contract, followed in 2025 by a deal to supply mechanical labour.
The relationship has helped Akulyanga diversify beyond the Erongo Region into Khomas and //Kharas, branching into civil construction and logistics.
Financially, Swakop Uranium’s support enabled the company to secure overdraft facilities and new credit lines, expanding its fleet and assets while significantly increasing its market value.
The firm is now accredited by the Namibia Public Procurement Commission (NPPC) and sources much of its food and cleaning supplies locally, directly benefiting farmers, hauliers, and small retailers.
Crucially, Akulyanga also champions gender inclusivity, with women holding key managerial and technical positions. The company says Swakop Uranium’s training sponsorships have helped lock in vital operational and safety skills, anchoring it as a dependable long-term partner to the mine.
“This partnership has been life-changing,” said Akulyanga’s management. “Swakop Uranium gave us credibility and capacity to grow, and in turn, we’ve been able to create jobs, train Namibians, and reinvest in our communities.”
Another success story is Blueberg Trading Enterprise (Pty) Ltd, which began as a small contractor supporting Swakop Uranium’s Mining and MRM departments. Through a two-year service contract, Blueberg now provides drill-rig spotting, block maintenance, geology and exploration support, and core sampling—all critical services for Husab’s operations.
In just two years, the company’s workforce expanded to over 110 employees, creating 80 new jobs for Namibians. The contract enabled Blueberg to invest in modern equipment, develop in-house technical expertise, and upskill workers in geotechnical sampling and safety systems, positioning the firm as a recognised player in Namibia’s mining services sector.
Equally impactful has been Swakop Uranium’s partnership with Sanitech, which provides comprehensive cleaning services and portable toilet solutions essential to Husab’s large-scale operations. Beyond service delivery, Sanitech’s ISO-accredited management systems—covering environmental, health, safety, and quality standards—have helped strengthen Swakop Uranium’s own sustainability framework.
For Sanitech, the long-term contract has delivered stability, enabling it to employ 143 people on-site and expand its operations. “Working with Swakop Uranium has been a turning point,” said a company spokesperson. “It gave us the stability to plan, invest in our workforce, and align our systems with world-class standards.”
Behind these success stories lies Swakop Uranium’s deliberate supplier-empowerment strategy, which prioritises local procurement and rigorous supply-chain governance.
The company’s Supplier Management System includes due diligence checks, anti-corruption training, and regular supplier open days to help small and medium-sized businesses understand compliance requirements.
In 2024, when Namibia’s statutory labour rate was raised, Swakop Uranium required suppliers to submit written compliance confirmations, reinforcing fair labour practices across its vendor network.
All procurement processes follow a structured evaluation system that reviews technical capacity, pricing, reliability, and safety metrics before EXCO approval. Supplier performance is continuously monitored to ensure that goods and services meet original technical and quality standards.
From catering and sanitation to geological support, Swakop Uranium’s partnerships demonstrate how large-scale mining operations can anchor local enterprise development. Each collaboration generates more than contracts—it creates skills, builds confidence, and expands the local supply base that underpins Namibia’s mining industry.
Through companies like Akulyanga, Blueberg, and Sanitech, the Husab Mine’s economic impact extends far beyond uranium exports—fueling jobs, training, and prosperity for communities across the country.
