Namibia targets US capital
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has put critical minerals, oil and gas and renewable energy at the centre of Namibia’s pitch for greater US investment, saying the country wants to move beyond exporting raw resources and develop industries that capture more value locally.
Addressing members of the US Chamber of Commerce at a US-Namibia Presidential Roundtable Executive Breakfast, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia was entering an important new phase following significant offshore oil and gas discoveries, while its mineral and renewable-energy resources presented opportunities across a range of industries.
The president said Namibia’s investment proposition was not limited to exploration and extraction, but extended across processing, technology, services, logistics, skills development and manufacturing.
In oil and gas, she said Namibia was “entering an important new phase following significant offshore discoveries”.
“The opportunity extends beyond exploration and production to services, logistics, technology, skills development and the wider industrial value chains that can grow around the sector,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
The remarks come as Namibia seeks to translate growing international interest in its offshore oil discoveries into broader economic opportunities, including for local businesses and workers.
Critical minerals
Critical minerals formed another major part of the president’s pitch to US business.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia had “significant reserves and resources of minerals essential to energy security, advanced manufacturing and the global energy transition”.
She listed uranium, lithium, rare earth elements, copper, cobalt, graphite, manganese, tantalum and tin among the country's strategic mineral resources.
For the United States, however, the president said Namibia offered more than access to mineral resources.
“We offer the opportunity to build secure, transparent and resilient critical-mineral supply chains with a trusted partner,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia's objective was to ensure that the development of its mineral resources translated into greater domestic economic activity.
“Our objective is clear. We will not remain exporters of raw natural resources and importers of value-added products,” she said.
The government is therefore seeking investment beyond mining and extraction, including in local processing and refining.
“We seek investment in local processing, refining, technology, skills and downstream industries so that our resources create jobs, grow Namibian businesses and advance industrialisation,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She described this as an opportunity for US companies to participate across the mineral value chain.
“This is a strong opportunity for U.S. companies to partner with Namibia across the value chain, from exploration and extraction to processing, logistics and manufacturing,” she said.
The emphasis places value addition and industrialisation alongside resource development in Namibia’s investment proposition, with the government seeking to attract capital and expertise into activities that can develop around the country’s mineral resources.
Oil and gas
Oil and gas also featured prominently in the president’s address, with Namibia seeking to broaden the economic impact of its offshore discoveries.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the emerging industry could generate opportunities well beyond the companies directly involved in exploration and production.
“The opportunity extends beyond exploration and production to services, logistics, technology, skills development and the wider industrial value chains that can grow around the sector,” she said.
Tourism and creative economy
Beyond the resource and infrastructure sectors, Nandi-Ndaitwah identified tourism, sport and the creative economy as additional areas for investment and partnership.
“Tourism remains an important pillar of Namibia's economy, with opportunities in hospitality, conservation, aviation and tourism infrastructure,” she said.
She also pointed to growing potential in sport and the creative industries.
“American expertise, investment, technology and global networks can make a meaningful difference in these sectors,” she said.
The president said Namibia was looking for partnerships that would bring technology, innovation, skills and market access while creating opportunities for Namibian enterprises and young people.
“We seek partnerships that bring technology, innovation, skills, market access and opportunities for Namibian enterprises and our young people,” she said.
Trans-Kalahari Railway
Infrastructure formed a supporting component of the investment proposition, with Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighting the Trans-Kalahari Railway and Namibia’s ambition to strengthen its position as a regional logistics hub.
She said the feasibility study for the railway linking Namibia and Botswana had been completed, bringing the project closer to implementation.
“The tender for its development and construction is expected to be issued soon,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah described the project as an opportunity for investors and companies with expertise in rail infrastructure, engineering, construction, logistics, financing and related services.
She said the railway would provide a modern economic corridor connecting Namibia’s Atlantic ports with Botswana and the wider SADC region.
“It is a modern economic corridor connecting Namibia's Atlantic ports with Botswana and the wider SADC region, and facilitating the movement of minerals, agricultural products, manufactured goods and other commodities,” she said.
The president also positioned the proposed railway as infrastructure that could support regional value chains.
“The Trans-Kalahari Railway can become a platform through which Namibia, Botswana, the United States and other partners build commercially viable infrastructure and regional value chains,” she said.
