Namibia’s mining and energy sectors delivered strong export earnings and are positioning for expansion.
At the same time, the government is moving to tighten control over the emerging oil and gas industry, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
The President, delivering her State of the Nation Address on Wednesday, said the mining sector generated N$64.7 billion in export earnings and contributed N$1.4 billion in royalties during the 2025/26 financial year, while creating 580 jobs.
She said a notable shift is underway in the sector, with uranium and gold now outperforming diamonds, driven by strong global demand and higher prices. In contrast, diamonds continue to face pressure from lab-grown alternatives.
“This transition reflects changing global commodity dynamics and reinforces the need to accelerate value addition and beneficiation policies,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
On energy, the President said projects worth more than N$8 billion are currently underway, which are expected to increase national electricity generation capacity from 759 megawatts to 903 megawatts within the current financial year.
“These developments are critical to improving energy security and supporting industrial growth,” she said.
Turning to oil and gas, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the government has placed the sector under the Presidency through a newly established upstream oil unit to strengthen oversight and coordination.
She said work has begun on reviewing the Field Development Plan submitted by TotalEnergies, marking a key step towards negotiations and potential final investment decisions.
“We are also developing a local content policy to ensure Namibians benefit through jobs, skills transfer and business opportunities,” she said.
The President further called for the urgent passage of the Petroleum Amendment Bill, warning that delays are slowing progress in structuring the sector and securing long-term benefits for the country.
She said the developments reflect the government’s strategy to sustain mining while positioning energy, oil and gas as future drivers of economic growth.
