President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has commended Namibia’s mining sector for investing more than N$3.5 billion over the past decade in skills development and corporate social responsibility (CSR), describing the industry as a key driver of economic and social transformation.
In a speech delivered on her behalf by the Deputy Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Presidency, Carlo McLeod, at the official opening of the 2025 Mining Expo and Conference in Windhoek on Tuesday, the President said mining companies had channelled N$1.781 billion into skills development and N$1.715 billion into CSR initiatives.
“Over the past decade, the mining sector has collectively invested N$1.715 billion in corporate social responsibility initiatives and N$1.781 billion in skills development,” she said.
The statement highlighted a range of projects supported by the industry, including the construction of schools, health facilities, water and energy infrastructure, food security programmes, and local economic development initiatives.
It was noted that the sector had created 9,437 permanent jobs in 2024 alone, with 97% of those positions filled by Namibians.
McLeod added that despite global economic challenges, mining remained the bedrock of the Namibian economy. He said the industry generated N$52.3 billion in revenue last year, contributing 13.3% to GDP, and created more than 2,600 new jobs, raising total direct employment to 20,843.
Local procurement stood at N$23.94 billion in 2024, accounting for 46.2% of total industry revenue and 62% of overall procurement. Exploration expenditure reached a record N$1.23 billion, driven by strong activity in uranium and gold.
Namibia, the world’s third-largest uranium producer, is experiencing renewed momentum in the sector, with the recommissioning of the Langer Heinrich Mine and progress at the Tumas and Etango projects. A third gold mine is also under development, expected to further diversify Namibia’s mineral output.
“This is a strong foundation, but we can, and must, do more,” the President said in the statement, adding: “There remains significant untapped potential in the local production of goods and services required by the mining sector.”
