Windhoek: Namibia aims to increase the share of processed mineral exports from 46.6 per cent to 57 per cent by 2030 as part of efforts to strengthen local beneficiation and industrialisation in the critical raw materials sector. Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse, announced this during the Critical Raw Materials Industry Session at the second Namibia-European Union (EU) Business Forum underway in Windhoek on Wednesday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Amutse stated that Namibia is positioning itself as a reliable critical raw materials partner for Europe amid growing global demand for minerals required for clean energy, electric mobility, digital technologies, and advanced manufacturing. "These resources are no longer viewed simply as commodities. They have become strategic assets linked to economic security, industrial competitiveness, and energy resilience," he said.
The minister highlighted that mining remained one of Namibia's key economic pillars in 2025, contributing 14 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP), 51.3 per cent of total exports, and 6.8 per cent of formal employment. He emphasized that Namibia possesses significant deposits of uranium, lithium, graphite, rare earth elements, copper, manganese, and zinc, placing the country in a strategic position within the global energy transition economy.
Amutse noted that investor interest in Namibia's uranium sector has continued to grow since the inaugural EU-Namibia Business Forum in 2023, while lithium and graphite projects have advanced, and exploration activities for rare earth elements and copper have expanded. "At policy level, Namibia has intensified its focus on beneficiation, industrial development, and investor facilitation," he said.
He further revealed that Namibia is developing a National Critical Raw Materials Strategy in cooperation with the EU to strengthen exploration, mining competitiveness, local processing, skills development, and strategic investment attraction. "Our objective is not only to export minerals, but to create greater value within Namibia through processing, manufacturing linkages, technical skills, and industrial growth," he stated.
Amutse also mentioned that Namibia plans to increase foreign direct investment stock from N.dollars 207 billion to N.dollars 254 billion by 2030 through a stable and predictable investment climate. He added that Namibia seeks integration into European and global supply chains linked to batteries, renewable energy technologies, advanced manufacturing, and nuclear fuel markets.
The minister stressed that mining growth must also benefit communities, youth, women, and local enterprises while protecting the environment. "Namibia stands ready to work with Europe not only as a supplier of minerals, but as a processor, industrial partner, and gateway for regional growth," he concluded.