Critical raw materials value chains in Namibia
Breakthrough study launched
The AfricaMaVal project, funded by the EU and spearheaded by the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) in collaboration with Namibian firm Odikwa Geoservices, recently unveiled the Namibia Country Case Study report. This report evaluates the investment landscape within Namibia's mining sector, providing insights into geological resources, particularly Extended Critical Raw Materials (ECRM), and highlighting opportunities for investment along the value chains. It delves into financial considerations such as taxation, royalties, and macroeconomic factors, while also addressing social, environmental, and governance challenges, including adherence to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.Additionally, the report outlines Namibia's legal framework, labor regulations, taxation regime, trade barriers, and concerns regarding protected areas. A workshop convened to discuss the report's findings and the expectations and hurdles associated with investment in Namibia's critical and strategic commodities sector. This initiative aligns with the EU-Namibia strategic partnership on Critical Raw Material (CRM) and Green Hydrogen Value Chains, established in November 2022.
H.E. Ana Beatriz Martins, EU Ambassador to Namibia, stressed the significance of the AfricaMaVal project in advancing Namibia's green energy transition vision. She reiterated the EU's commitment to fostering sustainable, clean, and inclusive economic growth in partnership with Namibia, emphasizing the promotion of local value creation and sustainable integration of value chains between Namibia and the EU.
The overarching goal of the AfricaMaVal project is to facilitate collaboration between the EU and African nations, supporting EU investments and industry involvement in Namibia's mining sector, including both industrial and small-scale mining, as well as the associated infrastructure and value chains.