India has set its sights on Namibia’s vast reserves of critical minerals, including uranium, copper, cobalt, rare earth elements, lithium, graphite and tantalum.
Speaking ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming State Visit to Namibia, India’s Secretary for Economic Relations in the Ministry of External Affairs, Dammu Ravi, highlighted the country’s strong interest in Namibia’s mineral wealth.
“Namibia is rich in natural resources and minerals. It has natural resources of uranium, copper, cobalt, rare earths in large numbers, lithium, graphite, [and] tantalum — all these are of interest to us,” Ravi said.
India’s investments in Namibia currently stand at US$800 million, with most channelled into the minerals sector, including zinc and diamond processing. Modi’s visit, the final stop on his African tour, is expected to expand this footprint and deepen collaboration in mining and related industries.
According to Ravi, trade and investment will be a central focus of the visit.
“The bilateral relations are wide-ranging. The trade is US$600 million, marginally in favour of India,” he said, noting that the minerals sector remains a key driver of commercial engagement.
