Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA has significant potential to expand its role in global critical energy transition minerals (CETM) value chains, with opportunities to increase value addition, diversify exports, and strengthen partnerships with key markets, according to a new report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
The report, titled Rapid Assessment of Value Addition and Diversification within and beyond the Critical Energy Transition Minerals Value Chain: Namibia, highlights the country’s growing importance as a supplier of key minerals such as lithium, rare earth elements, graphite, copper, manganese, and zinc—essential components in low-carbon technologies including electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels, and battery storage systems.
It highlights that Namibia’s favourable geology, coupled with strong trade relations with markets such as the European Union, positions the country to benefit from rising global demand for critical minerals linked to the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Despite this potential, Namibia’s current exports in this space remain relatively modest and are largely concentrated in industrial and agricultural salts. However, the report identifies significant untapped export opportunities, particularly in specialised inorganic salts and chemical products used in renewable energy technologies, with global market potential running into hundreds of millions of US dollars.
The European Union is highlighted as a key export destination, especially following a 2022 partnership agreement with Namibia on sustainable raw materials, which could provide a secure corridor for high-value processed mineral exports.
The report further outlines opportunities within renewable energy value chains, particularly in wind energy, where Namibia could expand its role in upstream and midstream segments. These include the production of materials used in turbine blades, towers, and other components, as well as chemical inputs for manufacturing and industrial processes.
In addition, the report points to growing international partnerships, including collaboration with Japan on the exploration and development of rare earth elements. Projects such as the Lofdal Heavy Rare Earths Project in north-western Namibia are expected to support the supply of critical minerals used in technologies like permanent magnets for wind turbines and electric motors.
The report concludes that with targeted investment, improved processing capacity, and strategic partnerships, Namibia can move beyond raw material exports to become a more competitive player in global energy transition value chains, while contributing to economic growth and sustainable development.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: Energy Capital Power
