Author: Maihapa Ndjavera (Maihapa Ndjavera )

The Japanese government’s increased interest in Africa’s rare earth minerals, particularly lithium and cobalt, resulted in an agreement being signed with Namibia this week, which aims to enhance mining sector cooperation. 

Trade minister Lucia Iipumbu has urged newly appointed board members and management at state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to focus on matters that drive economic revival. Speaking at Monday’s inauguration of board members, Iipumbu said there is no room nor time to waste on unimportant issues.

Russian mining companies are convinced of the economic viability and environmental friendliness of the controversial in-situ leach (ISL) mining method. The method is defined as the extraction of uranium from the host sandstone by chemical solutions, resulting in the recovery of uranium at the surface. 

TransNamib will soon operate the first dual-fuel locomotive in Africa. If all goes according to plan, two locomotives being converted locally and in South Africa will utilise a combination of green hydrogen to be produced in Namibia and diesel fuel. 

The Russian government has agreed to work with Africa to counter what it termed manifestations of neo-colonial policies propagated by Western interests. 

Vice President Nangolo Mbumba has invited Russian entrepreneurs and investors to Namibia as potential stakeholders in the development of mineral resources and the production of green hydrogen.

Namibia’s trade relations with Russia suffered a negative blow in 2022, mainly due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. However, Namibia’s trade minister now believes this depressed state of affairs can be reversed to once again enhance the trade relations. 

The relationship between Namibia and Russia is etched in blood. 

Namibia’s very own official trading barcode, 631, also known as a product identification code, was finally unveiled this week after a protracted finalisation process.