Limping Swapo goes radical on mineral ownership

Swapo, limping from a narrow 53% victory in the 2024 general election, plans to take radical steps that would see more local mineral resources placed into Namibian hands through state-owned Epangelo Mining, to which half of all new exclusive prospecting licenses (EPLs) will be allocated.This is outlined in the party’s N$85.7 billion development plan, which will be integrated into national policy from 1 April.The strategy includes enacting a mineral beneficiation law and establishing a national gold reserve, ensuring that wealth from mining benefits Namibians first.A critical minerals value-chain mapping study will be conducted between April and July 2025, paving the way for an integrated mineral beneficiation policy by March 2026.On local mineral beneficiation, the plan details that 50% of all new EPLs will be allocated to Epangelo Mining, Namibia’s state-owned mining company, which will be capacitated through fiscal support and self-funding to finance its own exploration.This process is set for completion by May, according to documents perused by Namibian Sun. The national gold reserve, guided by a Cabinet directive, is expected to be in place by April 2026. A key aspect of this plan is value addition for critical minerals, with bilateral agreements to establish a regional processing centre by March 2026.After being declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election, president-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed a technical committee to develop an implementation strategy plan for the Swapo manifesto, in line with her commitment to have this developed immediately after the elections. Committee members are Louise Shixwameni, Adriaan Grobler, Dr John Shimaneni, Kapena Tjombonde, Shiwana Ndeunyema, Jason Kasuto and Hippy Tjivikua.Policy risks in medium termAnalysts predicted in early 2024 that a poor electoral performance by Swapo in November 2024 would increase pressure on the party, prompting it to promote more local beneficiation in the mining industry and the nascent oil sector in order to appease the electorate.The party would initiate requirements for local employment and investment in local processing, analysts predicted. “Over the medium term, this could limit Namibia’s investment appeal, although we still anticipate growing investor interest in Namibia’s oil and mineral resources in the coming years,” Fitch Solutions said at the time.Appeasing the youthBeyond mining, Swapo is prioritising sports infrastructure development, aiming to build sports stadiums and facilities in all 121 constituencies by 2028. Backed by a N$968 million budget over four years, the project will involve regional and local authorities, ensuring a uniform stadium design across the country. By March 2026, at least 30 facilities should be completed.The plan also includes the construction of Confederation of African Football (CAF) category two stadiums in all 14 regions and CAF category three stadiums in five key locations, aligning with international standards. The first three category two stadiums will break ground in October this year, with completion extending to 2029.To boost athlete development, sports centres of excellence will be integrated into the category two stadiums, providing training facilities, sports science labs and professional coaching. These centres, supported by a N$544 million annual budget, will begin construction by October, with full completion expected by March 2028. A sports levy will see 30% of gambling revenues allocated to sports development to ensure sustainable funding for leagues and youth programmes.Swapo’s youth empowerment strategy aims to boost entrepreneurship, skills development and job creation. A national youth fund, backed by N$500 million annually, will finance at least 6 000 youth-owned businesses.The plan includes revitalising industrial parks into entrepreneurial and incubation centres, with N$200 million allocated annually. In agriculture, youth cooperatives will receive loans ranging from N$5 000 to N$300 000 through partnerships with financial institutions.To equip young people with practical skills, an apprenticeship programme for 10 000 grade 11 and 12 learners will receive N$400 million each year. Additionally, an internship initiative will provide N$30 000 stipends per student for three years, totalling N$600 million per year. The programme aims to absorb 5 000 graduates annually into both public and private sectors, with employers receiving a N$30 000 subsidy per graduate to encourage retention and long-term employment. - nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

Limping Swapo goes radical on mineral ownership

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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Limping Swapo goes radical on mineral ownership

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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