The Namibian Cabinet has approved a Nuclear Industry Strategy to establish a fully-fledged nuclear sector.
The decision, taken at the 22nd Cabinet meeting on 23 September 2025, includes amending the Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act of 2005.
Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, said the amendments would “strengthen the regulatory framework for nuclear energy, ensuring the regulatory authority’s independence, enhancing governance oversight through the Board, regulating nuclear installations, and promoting nuclear projects.”
She said the strategy also provides for the creation of the Nuclear Institute of Namibia to drive project implementation. Administration of the Atomic Energy and Radiation Protection Act will be transferred to the National Planning Commission.
“This recognises that nuclear industry transcends across many sectors and disciplines that requires overarching coordination and the necessary momentum and leadership to birth the nuclear industry,” Theofelus said.
The strategy calls for feasibility studies on “a flagship project(s) that could catalyse the nuclear industry, including value addition of the uranium value chain, small modular reactor(s), radio-scope production, industrial irradiation facilities and research reactor or similar projects.”
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy will also speed up drafting a White Paper on Nuclear Power.
Namibia has already begun consultations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on plans for a nuclear power plant, a process expected to take at least 10 years.
Ben Nangombe, former Executive Director in the Ministry of Mines and Energy, said the project must meet 19 infrastructure criteria set by the IAEA. He confirmed that a technical team has been appointed and a Namibian representative placed at the IAEA to support the process.
Nangombe said government is considering both small modular reactors and large-scale plants of up to one gigawatt. The estimated cost of the project is N$106 billion (US$6 billion).
