Namibia Courts US Investment in Critical Minerals
Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has invited US companies to invest across the country’s critical-minerals value chain, from exploration and mining to processing, refining and manufacturing.
Speaking at a US-Namibia Presidential Roundtable hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce in New York, Nandi-Ndaitwah identified uranium, lithium, rare earth elements, copper, cobalt, graphite, manganese, tantalum and tin as key opportunities for deeper commercial cooperation.
The President said Namibia wanted to move beyond exporting raw minerals and attract investment that would support local processing, technology transfer, skills development and downstream industries.
She positioned Namibia as a potential partner for the United States in developing secure and diversified critical-mineral supply chains, while highlighting the country’s strategic location, infrastructure and access to the wider Southern African market.
The investment drive extends beyond mining to energy, oil and gas, green hydrogen, renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics and manufacturing.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said these sectors could support Namibia’s broader industrialisation and economic diversification objectives.
US business leaders have also identified opportunities to combine Namibia’s mineral resources with American capital, technology and expertise to strengthen supply chains for strategic minerals and energy technologies.
The push for US investment follows Namibia’s growing engagement with other international partners on critical minerals.
In July, Namibia and China agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas including uranium, lithium and rare earths, with emphasis on local processing, technology transfer and skills development.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia wanted investment partnerships that create jobs, build local capacity and increase the value retained within the country.
The government is therefore seeking to position its mineral and energy resources as a foundation for domestic industrialisation while attracting international capital and technology.
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